Materials Engineer

About the Job

🎯 Materials Engineer
🌍 London, N4
🏛️ 4 days in our office, 1 day working from home
💰 £30-40k per annum

Join Shellworks as a Materials Engineer and help us materialise a better future by eliminating plastic pollution.

About Shellworks

Developed for a throwaway culture, plastics have caused significant pollution to our natural environments with 90% of all plastics ever created never being recycled. More so, recent studies have identified that plastics impact goes beyond pollution to chemicals and micro-plastics that impact human and environmental health.

We believe there must be a better way and our first innovation Vivomer does just that, if nature made a plastic this would be it. Vivomer, a polymer made by microorganisms, behaves just like plastic in use, but degrades upon disposal in any natural environment. Developed through cutting-edge material science, mechanical engineering, design, and operations, Vivomer represents a groundbreaking step towards a pollution-free future.

The nature of our work is frequently described as impossible, but if like us, you’re driven by the challenge to prove that there is a better way to do things, join us. You will play a critical role in developing the future of materials, how products are created and directly contribute to reducing plastic pollution.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to help scale the future of materials, creating sustainable, high-performance alternatives to conventional plastics. As part of our team, you will:

• Collaborate closely with our science and engineering teams to develop and optimise new material formulations and blends with improved physical and mechanical properties.

• Source and work with novel biomaterials from around the world to make game-changing products.
  
• Develop and trial material formulations in industrial polymer processes, including but not limited to compounding, injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion.

• Work with suppliers on new materials, including incoming material analysis, testing and qualification.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Holds a degree in Polymer Processing, Materials Science, or a related field, with at least 1 year of industry experience.

• Brings a proactive, results-driven mindset and a strong willingness to learn—this is a hands-on role that requires curiosity and initiative.

• Demonstrates solid skills in experimental design, with a passion for experimentation, data analysis, validation, and thorough documentation.

• Applies creative and critical thinking to continuously improve material processes. You enjoy solving tough problems with smart, simple solutions.

• Has proficiency in polymer processing techniques such as extrusion, injection molding, compounding, and blow molding.

• Experienced in polymer characterization methods, including thermal analysis, rheology, mechanical testing, and microscopy.

Our Benefits

🌴 21 days holiday + birthday off + 27-31st December, in addition to all statutory and public holidays.
📚 Opportunities for growth and development as we expand and scale our impact.
🎉 Regular social events and fully stocked office kitchen
🐚 Part of a tightly knit team aiming to make a meaningful social impact.

Join Our Mission

Becoming a part of Shellworks means being part of a team that’s passionate about sustainability and innovation. Our world-class team includes experts in materials science and visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a better future. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible.

Are you ready to help us lead the way in sustainable materials? Apply now and be part of something truly impactful.