Materials Engineer
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently
£60,000 – £90,000 / year
Salary
Above P75 for SOC 2129
£46,100
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.3×
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2129 (72% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £46,100, and Rivan Industries is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2111 (Chemical scientists). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified Most likely code | £33,400 Clears | £36,900 Clears | £41,500 Clears | £46,100 Clears |
2111 Chemical scientists Also possible | £33,400 Clears | £33,400 Clears | £37,500 Clears | £39,900 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
About us
We are looking for a Materials Scientist to own materials selection, testing and failure analysis across our direct air capture system.
The role will be heavily focused on our high-temperature kiln and lime-processing equipment. You will work on refractories, ceramics, heating elements, coatings, metals, alloys and sorbent-contacting materials.
You will be expected to take unclear materials problems, break them down from first principles, define the right tests, analyse the results, and turn them into clear engineering decisions.
This is a hands-on engineering role, not a purely academic one. You will work closely with process, mechanical, electrical and operations teams to make sure the materials we choose survive real operating conditions and can scale.
Core Skills
- Strong understanding of high-temperature materials, ceramics, refractories, corrosion, sintering, thermal shock and chemical compatibility.
- Experience working with kilns, furnaces, lime, cement, ceramics, glass, thermochemical processing or similarly harsh high-temperature systems.
- Ability to independently lead technical workstreams from a poorly defined problem to a clear recommendation.
- Ability to define practical validation tests and interpret materials characterisation data.
- Strong first-principles reasoning.
- You should be able to look at a failed component, deposit, coating or refractory and work out what evidence is needed to understand the failure.
- Comfortable engaging with suppliers, consultants, manufacturers and research organisations.
- Able to balance performance, cost, lead time, manufacturability, reliability and scale-up risk.
- Clear written communication. We need concise technical recommendations, not open-ended reports.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with refractory selection, installation methods, coatings or hot-face materials.
Specifics:
- £60-90k salary depending on experience
- Share options as part of the early team
- Extensive relocation support, including £6,000 per year extra to live close to our HQ
- In-person work at our HQ in Bermondsey, South-East London – flexibility considered based on personal circumstances
- Private health insurance
- Visa sponsorship available
- Unlimited time off
We encourage exceptional applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this role, even if they do not meet all the requirements listed.
If you don't see a current role that fits, we also welcome open applications via our website.
Apply at Rivan.com
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Rivan Industries, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified (SOC 2129) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~167k in sample- Offer £60,000–90,000
- Middle half £37,856–59,488
- Median £46,280
- Going rate £46,100
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–41,500
Even the bottom of this range, £60,000, beats the market's 75th percentile. Rivan Industries pays in the top quarter for this occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Rivan IndustriesAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Rivan Industries holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2129 going rate of £46,100. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.