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Materials Engineer - Job Opportunity at Rolls Royce

Derby, United Kingdom
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 27, 2025
Hybrid
£45,000 - £65,000 per year based on mid-level materials engineering roles in the UK aerospace sector, with Rolls-Royce typically offering competitive packages at the higher end of market rates plus comprehensive benefits and bonus structures

Benefits

Employee discount programs providing cost savings on company products and services, demonstrating company investment in employee financial wellbeing
Competitive bonus structure tied to performance metrics, offering additional compensation beyond base salary
Comprehensive employee support assistance programs ensuring work-life balance and mental health resources
Hybrid working arrangements providing flexibility to balance office collaboration with remote productivity
Excellent development opportunities including access to cutting-edge aerospace technology training and career advancement pathways

Key Responsibilities

Lead critical problem-solving initiatives through advanced evaluative judgments, analyzing complex multi-source data to develop innovative solutions that directly impact aerospace safety and performance standards
Drive technical leadership for defined engineering packages, ensuring delivery of program milestones within stringent cost, timeline, and quality parameters essential for aerospace certification
Serve as the authoritative Materials Engineering subject matter expert, providing strategic advisory services to internal customers and influencing cross-functional teams on mission-critical aerospace applications
Align technical deliverables with corporate business objectives, ensuring materials engineering decisions support Rolls-Royce's market position in the global aerospace industry
Champion continuous improvement initiatives across the organization, implementing process enhancements that drive operational excellence and competitive advantage in aerospace materials technology

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree, Master's or PhD in Engineering or equivalent technical capability based on practical knowledge and experience

Experience

Technical experience relevant to the Engineering discipline

Required Skills

Logical, analytical and innovative thinking applied to technical problems Knowledge and experience of product integrity/liability and certification frameworks Chemistry and/or corrosion disciplines expertise Materials development and process optimization Failure and defect investigation methodologies

Certifications

Membership in relevant professional body appropriate to the region Chartered status attained or working towards (UK preference)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The aerospace materials engineering sector is experiencing unprecedented demand driven by the global push for more fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation technologies. Advanced composite materials, lightweight alloys, and additive manufacturing techniques are revolutionizing aircraft design, requiring materials engineers with expertise in next-generation materials and certification processes. Digital transformation in aerospace manufacturing is creating new opportunities for materials engineers to work with AI-driven materials discovery, predictive maintenance systems, and digital twin technologies that optimize material performance throughout the aircraft lifecycle. The growing emphasis on circular economy principles in aerospace is driving demand for materials engineers who can develop recyclable materials, implement sustainable manufacturing processes, and design components for end-of-life recovery and reuse.

Role Significance

Typically leads cross-functional teams of 5-15 engineers and technicians while collaborating with larger program teams of 50+ professionals across multiple disciplines
Mid-level professional role with significant technical authority and project leadership responsibilities, positioned to influence major engineering decisions and serve as subject matter expert across the organization

Key Projects

Development and qualification of advanced materials for next-generation jet engines including ceramic matrix composites and superalloys Leading failure analysis investigations for critical aerospace components to ensure safety and reliability standards Materials selection and optimization for new aircraft programs requiring extensive testing and certification processes

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in materials science combined with practical understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes and certification requirements Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities essential for addressing complex materials challenges in safety-critical applications Excellent communication and leadership skills necessary for influencing cross-functional teams and presenting technical findings to senior management Continuous learning mindset to stay current with rapidly evolving materials technologies and regulatory requirements in the aerospace industry

Market Demand

High demand driven by aerospace industry growth, retirement of experienced engineers, and increasing complexity of materials requirements for next-generation aircraft engines and systems

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Materials science expertise is fundamental as it directly impacts aircraft safety, performance, and certification compliance in one of the most regulated industries globally Failure analysis capabilities are essential given the safety-critical nature of aerospace applications where material failures can have catastrophic consequences Certification framework knowledge is crucial as all aerospace materials must meet stringent regulatory requirements from authorities like EASA and FAA

Beneficial Skills

Digital materials modeling and simulation skills are increasingly valuable as the industry adopts advanced computational tools for materials design and optimization Sustainability and lifecycle assessment expertise aligns with industry trends toward environmental responsibility and circular economy principles Project management and cross-functional collaboration skills enhance career progression opportunities in complex aerospace development programs

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work on materials for some of the world's most advanced jet engines including the Trent family powering wide-body aircraft
Access to Rolls-Royce's extensive research facilities and partnerships with leading universities and research institutions
Involvement in next-generation propulsion technologies including sustainable aviation fuels and hybrid-electric aircraft systems
Pipeline recruitment approach indicating strong company growth and commitment to building talent reserves for future expansion

Career Growth

3-5 years to senior level positions with demonstrated technical excellence and leadership capabilities, 7-10 years to management or principal engineer roles

Potential Next Roles

Senior Materials Engineer with expanded technical leadership responsibilities Materials Engineering Manager overseeing multiple projects and team members Principal Engineer or Technical Fellow focusing on advanced materials research and development Program Manager roles combining technical expertise with business leadership

Company Overview

Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce is a globally recognized leader in aerospace propulsion systems, serving as one of the world's largest manufacturers of aircraft engines for commercial, military, and business aviation. The company's century-long heritage in engineering excellence and innovation has established it as a critical supplier to major aircraft manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier.

Dominant position in the global aerospace engine market with approximately 35% market share, competing directly with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney as one of the 'Big Three' engine manufacturers
Derby serves as Rolls-Royce's global headquarters and primary engineering center, offering exposure to cutting-edge aerospace technology development and access to world-class research facilities and testing capabilities
Engineering-focused culture emphasizing technical excellence, safety-first mindset, and long-term career development with opportunities to work on prestigious aerospace programs and cutting-edge technology development
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