Lead Applications Engineer

Location: Initially Manchester, relocating to Wolverhampton in 2025

At SI Group, we aspire for all employees to live and work to their full potential. We foster a unique environment where each employee is empowered to create value for our business with a commitment to safety and compliance. We promote personal and professional success that aligns with productivity and extraordinary results. Become a Catalyst for Change and help ignite impossible.

The Role:

As a Lead Applications Engineer, you will design and execute polymer testing protocols, manage lab operations, and support product development. This involves operating lab equipment, conducting physical tests, and collaborating with teams to drive innovation while ensuring safety, environmental, and quality compliance.

How You Will Make an Impact:

• Design and conduct polymer/chemical tests and manage application projects.
• Operate lab equipment (extruders, moulders, mixers) and perform physical tests (color, rheology, mechanical, thermal).
• Maintain and troubleshoot lab instruments and equipment.
• Ensure safe lab operations, maintain SOPs, and recommend process improvements.
• Coordinate raw material availability and sample dispatch.
• Collaborate with internal/external production sites and support cross-functional projects.

Creating Extraordinary Starts With:

• BSc/MSc in Polymer/Material Science with extensive experience in R&D or technical service roles.
• Expertise in polymer processing (extrusion, molding), equipment maintenance, and product formulations.
• Strong understanding of polymer properties, physical testing, and processing modifications.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with SAP, Sales Force, and EHS standards.
• Flexibility for travel and occasional out-of-hours support.

What We Value:

We strive for all employees to nurture physical, mental and emotional health both personally and professionally. Our commitment to health and wellness centres around prevention, early detection and embracing a healthy lifestyle. Some offerings may vary by role or country, but may include:

Physical Health benefits including healthcare packages and vision care subsidies.

Financial Wellness opportunities including life assurance and enhanced employer pension contributions.

Wellbeing benefits including additional holiday entitlement, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, access to mental health support, various optional social activities, and fruit available on site.

Progression opportunities including access to learning and development programmes that will empower you to grow both personally and professionally.

Belonging at SI Group

At SI Group, we strive for all employees to perform to their fullest potential. We create an environment where diversity is embraced, voices are heard, boundaries are pushed, and value is created.

We celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion as a driving force toward making the impossible possible, and we’re committed to ensuring all employees embrace it.

Data Privacy

We are committed to protecting your personal data. The information you provide will be used solely for recruitment purposes and processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and local regulations. By submitting your application, you consent to our processing of your personal data.

• Note for Recruitment Agencies: We handle job openings internally and prioritise direct hiring and referrals for efficiency. If necessary, we work with agencies from our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). We will not consider speculative CVs from agencies not on our PSL