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IPS Ceramics are Hiring: Materials Engineer
Posted by Tom Evans on September 3, 2025
Role: Materials Engineer
Location: Office based in Stoke-on-Trent ST5 (but opportunity for some UK & overseas travel)
Salary: Salary Negotiable or £30-£35K
Employment: Permanent, full-time, 25 days annual holiday plus statutory Bank holidays.
Right to work: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We do not sponsor visa applications.
We are looking for a Materials Science Engineer / Ceramist to lead on all technical activities in our very friendly SME based in Stoke-on-Trent. The ideal candidate will be local to the Potteries and have pre-existing experience in materials science.
IPS Ceramics are a leading supplier of kiln furniture and industrial ceramics to the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Cordierite & silicon carbide kiln furniture for the traditional ceramics industry is our key market, and we also supply technical ceramics into a vast range of industries – from the EV battery and automotive industries, to aerospace and electronic equipment (such as high-end audiophile equipment).
As the materials engineer you will work as part of a small team, using your knowledge of materials science and engineering principles to identify and develop material solutions to meet the needs of a wide range of industrial processes and customer applications.
You will be working alongside the current Technical Manager for 2 – 3 years, as part of a planned succession training. During this time, you will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of our design activity, manufacturing and quality systems, product ranges, and customer applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Management of the Quality Assurance system including liaising with our partner company and other suppliers on quality issues (some overseas travel required)
- Provide technical input into customer enquiries, helping to match products and materials to the needs of the application, and answering technical queries from customers
- Respond to customer complaints, including some material testing and site visits
- Write the manufacturing specification for new products and assist the Design Manager with structural analysis calculations
- Work with our marketing manager to produce promotional material and website content
- Develop the IPS knowledge base, investigating new applications, products, and materials
Key Skills & Experience
- Experience in ceramics manufacturing, or a similar industrial setting is essential
- A good knowledge of the mechanical and thermal properties of ceramics and other engineering materials, with some experience of testing procedures, is desirable
- Able to understand technical drawings with a basic awareness of structural design principles
- Inquisitive, with a genuine interest in science and technology; eager to learn
- A clear communicator who is happy to share knowledge with other members of the team
If this specialist development opportunity sounds interesting, please send your CV and a cover letter to Brian Wycherley at b.wycherley@ipsceramics.com