CMC Research Engineer or Advanced Research Engineer

National Composites Centre; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Pension contributions

Honorary staff status at University of

Job summary

The National Composites Centre (NCC) is seeking a Research Engineer to provide technical authority on projects, foster interdisciplinary innovation, and drive publication of technical content. You will build partnerships with industry and represent NCC in technical forums.

This role focuses on ceramics and composites with broad industrial relevance, including aerospace, energy and defence. Hybrid working is standard with salary reviews and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience with ceramic materials and knowledge of their properties, benefits and limitations.
• Worked with composite systems (R&D, design or manufacturing) with understanding of CMC types (Ox-Ox, Sic-SiC, C-SiC, C-C).
• Useful understanding of UHTCMC processing and thermo-ablative characterisation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical authority and guidance on projects and specialised technical capability.
• Foster innovation across the team in an inter-disciplinary setting.
• Create and revise technical documents and advocate for publishing technical content.
• Establish and develop effective partnerships internally and externally with industry partners.
• Represent NCC in relevant technical forums and develop strong networks within the industry.

Job description

As Research Engineer you will be responsible for:

• Providing technical authority and guidance on projects and specialised technical capability.
• Foster innovation across the team, working in an inter-disciplinary way.
• Create and revise technical documents and advocate for publishing technical content.
• Establish and develop effective partnerships internally and externally with industry partners.
• Represent NCC in relevant technical forums and develop strong networks within the industry.
• Ceramics - You have experience working with ceramic materials and have knowledge of their properties, benefits and limitations.
• Composites - You have worked with composite systems (R&D, design or manufacturing). You understand the raw materials, constituent parts and operational characteristics of a few types of CMCs (Ox-Ox, Sic-SiC, C-SiC and C-C etc). With practice of the considerable efforts involved in the various manufacturing routes.
• It would be useful if have some understanding of UHTCMC processing and thermo-ablative characterisation.
• You possess an educational background in chemistry with experience of CMC manufacturing and/or evaluation processes.
• A strong knowledge of the challenges faced in novel applications CMCs and have a passion for delivering new technology.
• Industrial focus - 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.
• Novel sectors - Ideally, you'll have knowledge and experience of working within a relevant sector where materials must withstand harsh environments (radiation degradation, high temperatures, space environment), forcing engineers to think outside the box in terms of materials selection. Space, Nuclear, Aerospace, Defence etc.

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.

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., +

Who are NCC?

NCC is a world-leading innovation organisation that turns cutting-edge research and technology into industrial impact.

What we do

We help manufacturers take on bigger challenges - whether that's building cleaner aircraft, scaling up offshore wind, or strengthening the UK's supply chains. We're here to deliver practical outcomes, not prototypes that sit on shelves.

Who we work with

We work across 16 sectors, from defence and energy to infrastructure and space. Some projects are with global tier 1s, others with small UK firms solving one specific problem - the works always varied, and always real.

What it's like here

We're not a startup. We're not a corporate. We're a national centre with the kit, time and people to do the job properly. The teams are focused, the thinking is sharp, and you'll be trusted to get on with it.

Why this job matters

This role isn't just internal support - it's part of how we deliver nationally important work. If we do our job right, the UK's manufacturers can do theirs better.

We ensure that all hiring decisions are made without regard to age, race, national origin, sex, disability, gender, gender identity, religion, or any other protected characteristics, and will treat all applications with the strictest confidence.

We're always open to hearing how we can support flexible working in different ways, including part-time work.

We wish you every success in your job search.

Salary: £41,075 - £59,780 per annum plus up to 12.5% employer pension & private medical insurance