Technical Manager/Materials Scientist in Cheltenham

Technical Manager – Materials Science & Refractory Technology

Location: Cheltenham
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 + Benefits

The Opportunity

Our client is a specialist manufacturer and global supplier of advanced refractory products used within investment casting, precious metals, powder metallurgy and other high-temperature industrial applications. Their products operate in some of the world's most demanding manufacturing environments, where precision, reliability and material performance are critical.

As part of their continued growth, they are looking to appoint a Technical Manager to lead research and development projects, helping to develop new products while continuously improving existing technologies. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and wants to play a key role in the future direction of a highly specialised engineering business.

The role combines technical leadership, product development and project management, requiring someone who is equally comfortable analysing laboratory data, leading development programmes and presenting technical findings to both customers and industry audiences.

About You

You will hold a PhD in Materials Science, Refractory Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or another closely related scientific discipline, together with the ability to apply your technical knowledge within a commercial manufacturing environment.

This opportunity would suit either a Materials Scientist who has completed their PhD and is looking to step into a more senior technical leadership role, or an experienced technical professional seeking the next challenge within a business where they can genuinely influence research, innovation and future product development.

Essential

• PhD in Materials Science, Refractory Technology, Engineering, Chemistry or a closely related discipline.

• Experience leading or managing technical or research & development projects.

• Strong understanding of materials characterisation, including mechanical testing and microstructural analysis at both ambient and elevated temperatures.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and data interpretation skills.

• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly, both verbally and in writing.

• Experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA or AutoCAD.

• Confident presenting technical information, including the preparation and delivery of technical papers.

Desirable

• Industrial experience within refractory materials, advanced ceramics, investment casting, precision castings, powder metallurgy, precious metals or other high-temperature materials.

• Experience working with products operating at extreme temperatures.

• Additional language skills.

• Previous customer-facing technical support or technical sales experience.

What's on Offer

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary, together with a company pension, standard holiday entitlement, international business travel with all expenses paid, a dedicated office with IT equipment provided and relocation assistance where appropriate.

This is a rare opportunity to join a highly specialised engineering business working at the forefront of advanced materials, where you will have genuine influence over the development of innovative products while working alongside experts within a technically fascinating sector.