Materials Laboratory Technician

An exciting opportunity for a Materials Laboratory Technician to join a leading automotive engineering team in Wolverhampton, supporting quality assurance and materials testing for advanced electric drive units, battery systems, and vehicle assemblies. This hands-on laboratory role focuses on metallurgical testing, weld inspection, radiographic analysis, quality control, and failure investigation, ensuring components meet demanding engineering and industry standards. Ideal for candidates with experience in materials testing, metallurgy, laboratory equipment, weld inspection, and quality engineering within automotive or manufacturing environments.

Location: Wolverhampton

Duties

• Use metallurgical & mechanical preparation and test equipment to assess components according to standard test processes, as required by engineering specifications or drawings.
• Carry out routine quality control testing for EDU, Battery and Frame Assembly.
• Perform teardowns of stators and frames, using destructive equipment, e.g. Bandsaws.
• Perform visual weld inspection testing and ultrasonic testing of spot welds.
• Use optical microscopes to measure welds, rivets and porosity content.
• Perform radiographic analysis of components.
• Support investigation of product quality issues with cross functional teams.
• Ensure internal and external audit compliance to standards including IATF 16949 and ISO 14001.
• Compliance to Health and Safety procedures by ensuring all safety metrics are achieved, including identifying safety hazards and risks and supporting implementation of corrective action.
• Adhere to local working documents and lab practises, e.g. 5S, Local Work Instructions, Autonomous Maintenance Tasks, Risk & COSHH assessments.
• Undertake any other work as directed by their line manager in connection with their job as may be requested .

Skills

Essential

• Experienced in using preparation equipment (e.g. bandsaws, abrasive cutters, grinding, polishing, etching).
• Previous experience incorporating knowledge and practical operation of materials testing equipment (optical microscopes, hardness, tensile, composition, cleanliness, FTIR, OES, DSC, RFU. Etc).
• Metallurgical knowledge of steel and aluminium, and experience in applying this know-how.
• Able to interpret Engineering drawings and Specifications.
• Computer skills - experienced using Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Desirable

• Previous experience in interpreting X-Rays and CT scans.
• A working knowledge of welding (MIG/TIG/CMT).
• CSWIP weld inspection experience.
• Use of ultrasonic equipment/PAUT for spot weld measurement.

Education

Required:

• Minimum level 3 qualification in a relevant engineering, science or welding field.

Desirable:

• Ultrasonic/PAUT level 2 qualified
• CSWIP Visual Weld Inspector qualified