Introduction
Our client presently has vacancies in their London and Leeds offices for Materials Engineers to undertake forensic investigations of a wide range of incidents and accidents arising from the
engineering failure of a single component or an assembly of components.
These investigations will usually be undertaken for insurance related purposes.
The Nature of the Work
If you are looking for a routine laboratory or an office based position then this is definitely
not the job for you! Our client is offering a rare opportunity to enter a unique and very rewarding profession in which the variety and the nature of the technically focussed work is extremely diverse and challenging, thus providing you with what we consider is unrivalled job satisfaction.
A key attraction of this role is that you will typically have the opportunity to be responsible for seeing a technical investigation through from beginning to end from initially collecting the evidence on site to preparing the final technical report and ultimately giving expert evidence in Court. You will have the opportunity to investigate a wide range of incidents and accidents involving the engineering failure of components of all types in a wide range of applications.
Consequently, you will encounter a variety of failure modes and mechanisms involving
both metallic and non-metallic materials. The entirely unpredictable nature and location of
the work is key attractions of this role.
Your work will often require you to visit the location of an incident, sometimes at short
notice, to record and gather evidence. The work will often require you to examine and analyse engineering components and other physical evidence in a laboratory environment.
There is also a practical element to the position in that on occasion you will be required to carefully dismantle machinery, equipment or component assemblies in a systematic manner to obtain the evidence that you require to determine the cause of the failure. This practical aspect of the work also extends to the requirement to devise and undertake ad hoc mechanical tests, as and when the need arises.
You will:-
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Conduct site-based investigations to record and gather the available physical evidence.
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Obtain details regarding the background and circumstances surrounding the incident by interviewing individuals associated with the incident.
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Undertake telephone enquiries of equipment suppliers and manufacturers to obtain the required technical information.
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Review technical documentation that may comprise engineering drawings, operating manuals and maintenance records.
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Consult relevant standards, regulations and other published guidance.
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Undertake technical literature reviews.
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Provide clients with timely preliminary verbal and/or written advice in a form that can be readily understood by a layperson and ultimately a Judge.
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Conduct detailed visual and low magnification examinations of failed components, which often include recording and interpreting fractographic evidence in a non-destructive manner.
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Conduct detailed laboratory based examinations and analyses of failed components that may involve optical microscopy of prepared samples, hardness testing, chemical analysis and the examination and analysis of samples using a scanning electron microscope.
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Mechanical testing of components or materials.
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Devise and conduct ad hoc testing of components, equipment or machinery
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Prepare reports that may be in the form of a brief letter style report or in the form of a detailed, illustrated report for Court proceedings.
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Attend client meetings to discuss your investigation.
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Meetings with experts appointed by the other involved parties as part of the litigation process.
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Provide expert witness evidence in Court, which will involve being questioned in-depth by a Barrister, who will be briefed by a technical expert.
Requirements
The Materials Engineer position is a technically demanding, challenging and most rewarding role requiring not only a thorough understanding of the nature and behaviour of both metallic and non-metallic materials but also a strong engineering knowledge base.
Ideally you will:
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Have attained a good honours degree in a materials engineering related discipline or similar.
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Gained several years of postgraduate experience, preferably in an industrial/engineering environment or equivalent.
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An aptitude and enthusiasm for problem solving.
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Self-motivated and be able to work effectively under pressure.
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Experience of undertaking component failure investigations, which will have
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included conducting scene inspections in addition to undertaking fractographic and
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Materialographic examinations within a laboratory or similar environment.
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A practical engineering ability in addition to a strong academic record or equivalent.
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Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly, both verbally and in writing.
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Prepared to work unpredictable hours, as and where the work demands.
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Prepared to provide expert witness evidence in Court when required.
Training and Prospects
Comprehensive “on-the-job” type training in the conduct of forensic investigations and the preparation
of reports for our insurance and legal clients will mostly be provided in-house and will be supplemented on occasion by external courses. Career advancement and reward are based on ability and attitude. There may be opportunities subsequently to transfer to other offices overseas.
Package
Our client offers unrivalled job satisfaction, a competitive salary and benefits including five weeks holiday, contributory pension scheme, medical insurance, life assurance, permanent health insurance and a company car.
Where appropriate a relocation package is available.
The London Office appointment has London weighting allowance.
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