Graduate Materials Engineer
The Opportunity
Materials Consulting at Arup exists to ensure appropriate use of materials, working with our colleagues in other Arup disciplines, and external clients; guiding them in their choices related to materials through the full life cycle of a project.
Everything in the built environment relies on the use of materials. Consequently, the materials team enjoy the opportunity to work in virtually every market that Arup work in, providing specialist materials advice. With experts in concrete, metals, glass, stone, brick, ceramics, timber and composites, we advise at all stages of a project, from concept design through the full life-cycle. Increasingly, our work looks to define best practices for sustainable materials use and supporting the materials transition, with an ever-growing focus on minimising resource consumption, ensuring durable designs and reducing broader negative impacts to both people and the planet.
Our specialists explore different combinations of materials, devise test programmes and carry out design and field research. This is based on knowledge – from tried and tested processes, such as forming and fabricating metals, to using glass structurally in adventurous new ways, and selecting more sustainable materials and processes to reduce resource consumption and environmental impacts.
We apply materials in novel, innovative and challenging ways, focussing on the importance of context. For our clients this means enhanced choice, based on optimised cost/value and reduced risks. We are passionate about making materials work and many of our team are members of or advisors to influential industry bodies. Our advice is truly independent and based on the most appropriate solution for a given application because our materials specialists are not linked to material suppliers and do not need to provide work for an in-house test facility.
We reduce our clients' risk and provide freedom of choice, particularly when involved in the early stages of a project. This enables our clients to design and build more innovative, challenging and valuable projects. Our rigorous research on materials and manufacturing methods provides reassurance that the materials are used appropriately, aesthetically and cost effectively to produce a robust and durable solution.
From your first day, you'll join an unrivalled community of experts, where everyone is supported in their career path and supported in working towards a professional qualification.
You'll help us to deliver effective and professional services for a range of varied and high-profile clients. While you'll have a great deal of responsibility from day one, we'll give you the chance to take on more as you progress and broaden your skills.
Your role will be to provide specialist advice on a wide range of materials for a multitude of uses, including both research projects, and projects in the built environment. These are developed in co-ordination with other Arup specialists, external architects and clients for projects in various sectors. You will gain a thorough understanding of the role of a materials consultant, supporting across the breadth of our materials services, visiting sites/ manufacturers and working towards the goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer.
Main duties:
- Delivering materials consulting services, for example, materials specification, durability assessments, or forensic failure investigations.
- Supporting our clients and supply chains through the use of materials
- Carry out research projects, informed by client challenges and Skills Network priority research topics
- Visits to site
- Writing reports
- Collaborating across disciplines
Opportunities: London & Birmingham
Is this role right for you?
Do you lead with curiosity, personal drive and technical knowhow? If you can combine these skills with an understanding of (or willingness to learn about) the industry and a desire to deliver excellent services for clients, we'd like to hear from you.
We're looking for the following qualifications, attributes and skills:
- A Materials Science degree or Engineering degree (Masters level in General Engineering, Engineering Science, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering or Civil Engineering) with strong results in all modules (2:1/60% or higher)
- Interest/experience in engineering design, manufacturing, and fabrication
- Strong analytical skills
We're looking for people who are curious and ready to evolve how you think and work. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. If you can share your knowledge and ideas and encourage others to do the same; whilst having a desire to deliver excellent services for clients – we'd like to hear from you.
You should be able to start this opportunity in September 2025.
