R&D Engineer

Speke

9 months ago

Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

R&D Technician - Polymers

Laser Physicist

Associate R&D Director

Maintenance Engineer

Design Engineer

Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Matrix Polymers is a long-established and widely-recognised supplier of polymers serving an international customer base, specialised in the rotational moulding industry. Currently operating from five manufacturing plants located in the UK, Poland, Australia, Thailand and Malaysia. Operating to exceptional standards of product development, technical support and commercial integrity, we are seen as the specialist supplier in the rotational moulding industry. With ambitious growth plans for the future, the key to our success is the commitment, drive and passion of our employees.
We are looking for a keen, talented professional to further strengthen our UK technical team and cover the R&D Engineer role based in Liverpool, UK. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment within a laboratory and production setting following all SOP’s and H&S measures. They will also have a growth mindset, willing to learn any relevant skills to get the job done and have good attention to detail.
Preferable but not essential:

Good Interpersonal & professional communication skills (written and verbal)
Teamwork
Honesty and trust
Scientific writing skills
Experimental planning
Presentation skills
MS office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word...)
A scientific degree (or masters or PHD or equivalent)
Responsibilities:
Develop and implement new rotational moulding materials in line with the company objectives
Carry out market research by visiting customers and end users in order to obtain product knowledge to support the development of new rotational moulding materials
Develop a strong relationship with polymer and additive suppliers in order to gather a deep understanding in their potential for advancing rotational moulding polymer composites
Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with key customers in order to support them with projects or new technical developments in new or existing materials and applications
Assist the European sales team by supporting them with promotional activities such as presenting and attending conferences and seminars thereby showcasing our technical knowledge and service
Liaise with the European Operations team to ensure newly developed materials can successfully transfer from laboratory to large-scale production
Assist and contribute to the Matrix training programs held to support both colleagues and customers in process improvement and optimisation.
Benefits include:
24 days annual leave + bank holidays (includes shutdown at Christmas each year)
Employee Discount scheme
Eye care vouchers
Cycle to work scheme
Long Service Awards
Employee Assistance Programme
Discretional performance/profit based bonus

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Feb 3, 2026

Jobs

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

Jan 24, 2026

Education

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.

Jan 18, 2026

Careers Jobs

Materials Science Jobs for Career Switchers in Their 30s, 40s & 50s (UK Reality Check)

Thinking about a career switch into materials science in your 30s, 40s or 50s? You’re not alone. In the UK, materials science underpins innovations in aerospace, automotive, healthcare, energy, manufacturing & sustainability — and employers are increasingly open to talent with diverse backgrounds. But the field is often misunderstood as being only for PhDs in labs, which can put off experienced professionals who have valuable transferable skills. This guide gives you a clear, practical UK-focused reality check: which materials science careers are realistic, what skills employers are looking for, how long retraining usually takes, how to position your experience and whether age is a factor (hint: it’s your strengths that matter most). Whether you come from engineering, manufacturing, research support, quality, operations, design, project management or consultancy, this article shows how your background can translate into a materials science career in the UK.