Job Title: Principal Research Engineer - Advanced Composites
Location: Bristol | Hours: 37 per week | Hybrid: 2 days on-site | Salary: £56,641 - £70,929
Due to the nature of the role, SC Clearance preferred or must hold a British passport to obtain SC clearance.
Who We Are & What's on Offer
We are seeking a Principal Research Engineer to lead high-impact R&D programmes in advanced composite materials.
This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong engineer with a solid foundation in materials science, hands-on manufacturing experience, and a passion for translating research into real-world industrial solutions.
What will I be doing?
As a Principal Research Engineer, you will play a key role in developing innovative fibre architectures, resin systems, and multifunctional composites for aerospace, high-performance engineering, and other industrial sectors.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver complex R&D programmes focused on advanced composites, manufacturing processes, and structural performance.
- Apply materials science expertise to develop novel fibre architectures, resin systems, and multifunctional composites.
- Collaborate with industry partners, government stakeholders, and academia to accelerate technology readiness and adoption.
- Mentor junior engineers and researchers to foster technical excellence and collaborative growth.
- Prepare technical documentation, proposals, and publications.
- Ensure compliance with project security protocols for roles requiring DV clearance.
What We're Looking For
- Degree, MSc, or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Strong understanding of composite materials, design, processing, and performance characteristics.
- Proven track record of leading R&D projects and delivering tangible outcomes.
- Industry experience, ideally in aerospace, high-performance engineering, or related sectors.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and project leadership skills.
Desirable Attributes
- Familiarity with 3D textile technologies (weaving, braiding, embroidery) for composites.
- Knowledge of advanced materials, coatings, CVD/CVI, meta-surfaces, or high-temperature composites.
- Experience with destructive/non-destructive testing, digital design tools, simulation software, and automated manufacturing.
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards it.
- Awareness of sustainability and circularity in composite materials.
What's my next step?
If you're interested in the above role, click apply and make an impact.
