Development Engineer – Composite Manufacturing & R&D

Diversity Dashboard; Rotherham; Hybrid; GBP 32,080 - 36,636; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Generous pension

Discounts and rewards

Job summary

University of Sheffield is seeking a Development Engineer to join the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's Composite Centre. You will plan and deliver research manufacturing processes, develop expertise in composite technology, and drive multi-project R&D with industrial partners.

You will coordinate project tasks, present results to committees, and contribute to long-term planning while ensuring quality standards and timely delivery across projects.

Qualifications

• Have a good honours degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field (Composites, Aerospace, Materials, Mech. Engineering, etc.)
• Specific technical knowledge in composite manufacture, design and modelling, FEA, composite tooling, composite machining, smart materials or textiles.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal), report writing, presentations to staff and industrial customers at all levels.
• Experience of working as part of a team with ability to convey instructions and understand concerns.
• Ability to analyse and develop creative approaches to problem solving shown through adapting own skills to new circumstances.
• Ability to make informed decisions for a team to facilitate progress.
• Ability to assess and organise resources, plan and progress work activities.
• Experience of managing development projects and interfacing with partners at all levels.
• Experience in the delivery of Research & Development or improvement programmes

Responsibilities

• Plan and develop research manufacturing processes and technology to aid the centre in its aim to be the premier research facility at the cutting-edge of composite material manufacturing research.
• Develop skills and knowledge to become a source of technical expertise in composite manufacturing technology for centre staff and customers.
• Responsible for the successful and timely delivery of research & development projects within the centre by designing and developing appropriate research methodologies to address research objectives.
• Responsible for the coordination of project tasks within the Centre.
• Present project results and methodology to committees, staff, customers and other groups.
• Contribute to the review and progress tracking of projects by analysing the results of tests and experiments.
• Prioritise own workload over the short/medium term, considering long-term implications.
• Plan for and manage short-term projects and contribute knowledge towards long-term projects.
• Lead relevant ad-hoc project teams to successful completion, including effective resource management using government or EU funding streams.
• Work with the quality department to ensure standards are relevant and maintained.
• Using technical knowledge of Composite functions, carry out project scoping, develop project plans, and manage projects technically and financially, to agreed timescales.
• Manage project resources, which will include negotiating additional resources as required.
• Write up project findings in a manner that will both satisfy industrial partners and provide the basis for further publication in journal articles or books.
• Carry out long-term planning to facilitate the length, research and safety of the projects.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Skills

Composite manufacturing

Composite design

FEA

Composite tooling

Composite machining

Smart materials

Textiles

Education

Honours degree in a relevant field (Composites, Aerospace, Materials, Mech. Engineering)

Job description

University of Sheffield is seeking a Development Engineer to join the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's Composite Centre. You will plan and deliver research manufacturing processes, develop expertise in composite technology, and drive multi-project R&D with industrial partners.

You will coordinate project tasks, present results to committees, and contribute to long-term planning while ensuring quality standards and timely delivery across projects.