Principal Research Engineer Digital

National Composites Centre; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading R&D facility in Bristol seeks a strategic project leader to oversee innovative solutions in high value manufacturing. The role involves scoping projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and fostering industry partnerships. Candidates should have proven experience in R&D, exceptional communication skills, and a strong background in manufacturing technologies such as IoT and Digital Twins. This position offers hybrid working, annual salary reviews, and a commitment to employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Company paid private medical insurance

Up to 12.5% employer pension contribution

Focus on wellbeing and EDI

Qualifications

• Proven experience in R&D within industry solving real-world problems.
• Experience in strategic governance of complex programmes.
• Ability to present technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Scope and deliver projects aligned with strategic aims.
• Support project governance for quality delivery.
• Create and approve technical documents for publication.
• Build and lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Highly competent communicator

Experience with multi-disciplinary teams

Track record in high value manufacturing

Familiarity with IoT and Digital Twins

Systems thinking

Job description

Location: Bristol based with Hybrid working – 2 days on site, 3 days home

NCC is a world-leading authority on Research and Development to support High Value 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.

What you’ll be doing

• Scoping projects to support strategic aims; 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.
• Fostering innovation across the team, working in an inter‑disciplinary way.
• Creating and approving technical documents and advocating for publishing technical content.
• Establishing and developing effective partnerships internally and externally with industry partners.
• Representing NCC in relevant technical forums and championing our technical strategy.

What we’re looking for

• Highly competent communicator who can present technical concepts to a wide variety of audiences in an easy‑to‑understand way either upwards or downwards, internal or external.
• Proven experience of bringing together complex, multi‑faced programmes and multi‑disciplinary teams in a cohesive manner which creates impact.
• Proven track record in high value manufacturing and supporting digital technology adoption including familiarity with IoT, MES, Digital Twins, Shop Floor Digitalisation and culture change.
• You’ve put your knowledge to the test or have worked in R&D within industry - proven experience in a practical setting, solving real‑world problems with real‑world solutions.
• Systems thinking – ideally, you'll have knowledge and experience of working within a relevant sector (e.g. Space, Aerospace, Energy, Automotive or others) where several different engineering disciplines come together to produce effective solutions, forcing engineers to think beyond their own areas of expertise and lean on the strengths of others to succeed.

See full JD attached for the broader insight into role and responsibilities.

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 Sunday 18th January 2026