Senior Polymer Engineer

About the Job

🎯Senior Polymer Engineer
🌍 London, N4
🏛️ 4 days in our office, 1 day working from home
💰 £40-50k+ per annum + equity

Join Shellworks as a Polymer 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 3 years 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 characterisation 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.

This role requires the ability to regularly lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 kg (44 lbs), occasionally heavier, throughout the workday.