Level 3 Materials Technician Apprenticeship – Sheffield

About the role

Join Special Melted Products Ltd in Sheffield as a Level 3 Materials Technician Apprentice. You’ll gain hands‑on experience across chemistry, mechanical testing and metallography, supporting the production of high‑performance steels and super‑alloys for aerospace, oil & gas and nuclear sectors.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare metal samples and carry out heat‑treatment according to specifications.
• Perform a range of metallurgical tests including tensile, hardness, impact, creep strain, stress rupture, grain size, OES, XRF, LECO, AA, macro‑ and micro‑structure evaluations.
• Ensure all testing follows documented procedures and evaluate results against standards.
• Maintain and calibrate testing equipment and furnaces before use.
• Record data accurately, communicate results to supervisors and meet agreed delivery dates.
• Participate in safety initiatives, internal audits and continuous‑improvement projects.

Required profile

• Strong curiosity about material behaviour and a genuine interest in science or engineering.
• Attention to detail, accuracy and the ability to follow standardised test methods.
• Commitment to health & safety, quality standards and laboratory procedures.
• Willingness to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Required skills

• Tensile, hardness, impact and creep‑strain testing.
• Grain‑size analysis, macro‑ and micro‑structure evaluation.
• Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) and X‑ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis.
• LECO and Atomic Absorption (AA) techniques.
• Heat‑treatment processes and equipment calibration.

What we offer

• Starting wage £8.08 per hour, reviewed every five months.
• 40‑hour week, Monday‑Friday 8:00‑16:00 with paid breaks.
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays.
• Private healthcare and full sick pay after one year.
• Regular training, CPD opportunities and a clear progression pathway.