Design Engineer - Coatings and Materials

Join Our Engineering Team: Design Engineer

We’re looking for a Design Engineer to join MacTaggart Scott where you’ll play a key role in designing equipment and shaping materials and coatings strategies for demanding, real-world applications.

You’ll work with a high level of autonomy, contributing across the full design lifecycle from concept and bids through manufacture, test and in-service support. Do this whilst enjoying flexible working options, strong career development support, and a benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance. Reporting to a Principal Engineer, this role offers technical challenge, variety, and the chance to grow your career within an established engineering business. Occasional UK and overseas travel may be required for this role.

About Us:

MacTaggart Scott primarily supports the Naval Defence industry, providing complete solutions to customer needs from analysis of initial customer requirements, to design and manufacture, and right through to commissioning and through life support. Established in 1898, we are proud of our history and tradition but believe that sustainable competitive advantage can only be achieved through continuous improvement, investment, and a commitment to business excellence at every level within the company.

The Role:

We are seeking a Design Engineer with a strong focus on materials and coatings to join our Engineering team. This role would suit a qualified Mechanical or Materials Engineer with experience in industrial, marine or subsea applications.

Reporting to a Principal Engineer, the role is minimally supervised and offers the opportunity to work on technically demanding equipment designs for marine-based handling applications. Success in the role will be measured by the delivery of compliant designs, completed on time and within budget.

You will be responsible for:

• Designing equipment and specifying components with supporting engineering calculations.

• Producing high-quality engineering drawings and technical documentation.

• Providing specialist materials and coatings input to equipment designs.

• Creating engineering documentation including coating procedures, design reports and calculations.

• Undertaking corrosion assessments of equipment designs, particularly for seawater environments.

• Developing innovative design solutions for demanding applications.

• Providing technical input to bids, tenders and customer enquiries.

• Supporting problem resolution during equipment build and test in the workshop.

• Providing technical support to production, including NDT and coating inspectors.

• Supporting in-service issues as required.

• Communicating effectively with Engineering, Quality Assurance, Inspection, Production Engineering, Production, Project Management and Procurement teams.

• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, challenging existing designs and processes to improve efficiency.

• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping and promoting Health & Safety as a priority.

Key Skills & Experience:

Essential:

• Experience of coating selection and application methods.

• Understanding of seawater corrosive environments.

• Understanding of NDT methods and acceptance criteria.

• Experience creating engineering documentation.

• Experience of solid modelling using CAD tools.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a flexible and innovative approach.

• Intermediate or higher proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Please Note: The successful candidate must hold or be able to meet the appropriate Security Clearance as required.

Desirable:

• Detailed knowledge of liquid penetrant, magnetic particle and ultrasonic NDT methods.

• Knowledge of corrosion-resistant materials such as Super Duplex Stainless Steels, Inconel, and Monel.

• Subsea engineering experience.

• Experience producing and checking high-quality production drawings.

• Experience using PTC Creo modelling software.

• Existing security clearance.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• BSc or BEng in Mechanical or Materials Engineering (or equivalent), or a relevant Apprenticeship with HNC.

• ICorr, NACE or FROSIO Level 1 Coating Inspection certification.

Desirable:

• MEng in Mechanical or Materials Engineering.

• Chartered Engineer status.

• ASNT or PCN Level 1 Non-Destructive Testing certification.

If you are an experienced engineer with a passion for materials, coatings and innovative design solutions, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Your Future at MacTaggart Scott – What We Offer

• Flexible Working: Choose a 4- or 5-day week with flexible hours (07:00–19:00, core hours 09:30–15:30).

• Comprehensive Leave Policy including annual leave, paid parental leave, and military reservist leave.
• Career Development & Learning Support through our dedicated Learning and Development team.
• Wellbeing Programmes including an Employee Assistance Programme, online wellbeing resources, and onsite nurse.
• Health & Lifestyle Benefits such as life insurance, sick pay, free flu jabs, and a cycle-to-work scheme.
• Financial & Recognition Rewards including a company pension and a generous employee referral scheme.
• Convenience & Facilities: free onsite parking, canteen, and employee discounts.