Job Description

Origin is a clean tech company based in Newcastle upon Tyne, specializing in providing cutting-edge solutions and support for the Offshore, Nuclear, and Utilities sectors. With a track record of success and growth, Origin has secured significant contract wins over the past 12 months and is seeking a Materials Engineer to lead the technical development, testing, and quality assurance of our proprietary Origin NoDig product.

This role will support the creation of a robust, scientifically driven product specification, ensuring material performance is understood, consistent, and optimised for various pipeline applications. The successful candidate will be instrumental in establishing rigorous test regimes, refining material formulations, and defining acceptance criteria to achieve product conformity and reliability at scale.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Development & Characterisation

Develop a detailed understanding of the current NoDig material composition, behaviour, and performance boundaries. Characterise raw materials and blends, including particle size distribution, mineralogy, composition, purity, moisture content, density, and other relevant parameters. Support formulation refinement and optimisation for different pipeline conditions, defects, pressures, and pipe materials. Work closely with external labs (e.g., EDAX/XRD/ESEM providers) to define test scopes and interpret results.

2. Testing & Scientific Method

Design and execute laboratory-scale test programmes to assess material performance under varied mechanical, chemical, and environmental conditions (e.g., fatigue, pressure cycling, temperature cycles, erosion, accelerated ageing). Support design of large-scale trials to validate lab findings and correlate with field performance. Develop and document a formal scientific methodology for assessing the capabilities and limits of NoDig.

3. Quality Assurance Framework

Establish QC processes for day-to-day product acceptance, including clear tolerance ranges for particle size distribution, composition, moisture content, impurities, and density. Develop inspection protocols for consistency between manufacturing batches. Work with suppliers to understand and audit the manufacturing process (milling, sieving, blending methods, impurity levels, etc.). Support implementation of material CoAs and ensure alignment with Origin's acceptance criteria.

4. Documentation / Reporting

Produce technical reports, material specifications, QC manuals, and test plans. Maintain detailed records of formulations, batch performance, and testing outcomes.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

Degree in Materials Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field (MSc or PhD ideal). Experience with analytical tools such as XRD, SEM, EDAX/EDS, TGA, FTIR, or similar. Knowledge of mechanical testing and equipment (fatigue, pressure cycling, thermal testing, erosion). Experience working on R&D projects, ideally involving material formulation, characterisation, or product development. Experience setting up or managing QA/QC processes. Strong analytical mindset and ability to design and execute scientific test programmes. Excellent technical writing and communication skills.

Benefits we Offer:

28 days holiday allowance (plus Bank Holidays). Casual dress code. Cycle to work scheme. Private health care. Competitive company pension. Career progression opportunities. Hybrid working

Right to work in the UK required -- no visa sponsorship available for this role

Must be willing to relocate to North East as the role requires office presence.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 37,000.00-42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Enhanced maternity leave Private medical insurance Work from home
Ability to commute/relocate:

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person