Principal Research Engineer Composite Moulding

National Composites Centre; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading composites research organization based in Bristol is seeking a qualified individual for a technical leadership role in prepreg composite manufacturing. You will oversee high-profile aerospace and defence projects, leading teams, and ensuring strategic governance of initiatives. The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge of prepreg materials and a proven track record in high-value manufacturing. This role offers hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Hybrid and flexible working

Annual salary reviews

Company paid private medical insurance

Up to 12.5% employer pension contribution

Honorary staff status at the University of Bristol

Qualifications

• Extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience using various prepreg materials.
• Proven track record in high value manufacturing with prepreg composite materials.
• Expertise in aerospace structures, assembly, and bonding of complex components.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical aspects of aerospace, space, and defence projects.
• Scope projects to align with strategic aims.
• Build and lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Knowledge of prepreg materials

Technical leadership

Excellent communication skills

Job description

NCC is a world-leading authority on composite materials research, development, and manufacturing. We work with global leaders across industries such as aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, and defence to develop cutting-edge composite solutions. As part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the NCC is at the forefront of innovation, helping businesses turn ideas into reality.

We are seeking an experienced individual to join the ‘Composite Moulding’ team in a technical leadership role focused on prepreg composite manufacturing projects.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the technical manufacturing aspects of high-profile aerospace, space and defence projects.
• Scoping projects to support strategic aims of customers and the NCC.
• Building and leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver them.
• Providing strategic governance of other projects to ensure relevance and quality delivery.
• Supporting the Chief Engineer in revising, formulating and creating the roadmap for novel and innovative approaches and pioneering technical solutions.
• Establishing and developing effective partnerships internally and externally with industry partners.
• Representing NCC in relevant technical forums and championing our technical strategy.

So, what are we looking for?

• Extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience using a range of different prepreg materials.
• Proven track record in high value manufacturing with prepreg composite materials.
• Expertise in aerospace primary and secondary structures, including assembly and bonding of complex components, would be highly advantageous.
• Experience of leading requirements capture processes in a potentially wide-ranging technical area, to structure and scope projects which match capability, budget and time constraints.
• Proven capability in manufacturing process definition from the ground up including design for manufacture considerations.
• Technical leadership on complex multi-disciplinary projects.
• Excellent ability to communicate clearly and effectively with internal stakeholders, customers, and engineers across all aspects of a project.

What do we offer in return?

Hybrid and flexible working as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.

We see your future in ours. Apply now.

Closing date for applications 23:59 Friday 23rd January 2026