Research and Development Engineer

Northern Ireland Water Limited; Belfast; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative engineering firm in Lisburn seeks a Research & Development Engineer to lead and manage projects focused on cutting-edge plant machinery. In this hands-on role, you will engage in the full R&D lifecycle, driving innovation in live environments. Ideal candidates should have experience in R&D, strong CAD skills, and a technical background in engineering. Attractive salary and benefits offered along with progression opportunities into senior roles.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Unique opportunity for project involvement

Strong scope for career progression

Qualifications

• Experience in R&D or product development roles.
• Strong technical background and proven CAD capability.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver R&D projects focused on new plant machinery.
• Manage multiple development projects from concept to trials.
• Produce and review CAD designs and technical concepts.

Skills

R&D project management

CAD capability

Technical development

Civil engineering knowledge

Job description

Overview

MCS Group are exclusively partnering with an innovative and highly specialised engineering business on a truly unique opportunity for a Research & Development Engineer to join their team. This role will play a key part in the creation and development of cutting-edge plant machinery and engineered solutions used across the civil engineering and rail sectors.

This is a rare chance to be directly involved in taking new plant concepts from idea through design, live trials, and into operational use, shaping how complex civils and rail projects are delivered.

The Role

We are working exclusively with a forward-thinking engineering organisation who are seeking a Research & Development Engineer to support and drive a live pipeline of innovation and development projects.

This role offers hands-on involvement across the full R&D lifecycle, with a strong focus on plant machinery, tooling, and methodology development, working closely with engineering, operations, and site teams in real-world environments.

You will

• Lead and deliver R&D projects focused on new plant machinery, adaptations, and engineering solutions
• Manage multiple development projects concurrently, from concept and design through to live trials
• Produce and review CAD designs, drawings, and technical concepts as part of R&D delivery
• Work closely with site and operations teams to trial, refine, and validate solutions in live civils and rail environments
• Support funded R&D programmes and engage with Invest NI and other innovation bodies

What\'s in it for you

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• A genuinely unique opportunity to shape and develop cutting-edge plant machinery within the civils and rail sectors
• Hands-on involvement in live R&D trials and innovation-led projects
• Strong scope for progression into senior R&D, innovation, or technical leadership roles

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience in an R&D, innovation, product development, or technical development role within civil engineering, rail, plant, or mechanical engineering
• Strong technical background with proven CAD capability
• Experience managing multiple engineering or development projects simultaneously
• Commercially aware, with an interest in taking technical concepts through to operational delivery

Full details will be discussed upon application.

Are you open to new opportunities? Get in touch, I would love to have a chat!

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up to date CV via the link provided or contact Hannah Liddle, Specialist Consultant at MCS Group 02896935518.

Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current jobs www.mcsgroup.jobs

All conversations will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

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MCS Group is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for all, being the first recruitment agency in NI to achieve Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation, if you have a disability which means you require a reasonable adjustment to be considered at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate the request.