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DNV's Spadeadam R&D centre invites engineers to join the Major Hazards team, working on hydrogen and high‑pressure gas studies, fire and explosion research, and critical infrastructure resilience. You will contribute to world‑leading experiments, shaping engineering practice and informing major investment decisions.
Roles span concept development through to operation, with a strong emphasis on practical problem‑solving.
We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.
We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.
We help customers navigate the complex transition to a decarbonized and more sustainable energy future. We do this by assuring that energy systems work safely and effectively, using solutions that are increasingly digital. We also help industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry.
When the consequences are significant and confidence matters, industry often needs evidence. For 50 years, organisations from around the world have come to DNV’s Spadeadam R&D Centre to find those answers.
Spadeadam is one of the world’s leading major hazards R&D facilities. Our engineers, scientists and technical specialists design, build and operate unique experimental facilities that help industry understand some of its most challenging safety and resilience questions. From hydrogen and alternative fuels to high-pressure gas releases, fire and explosion hazards, pipeline safety and critical infrastructure resilience, the work undertaken here helps shape engineering practice, inform major investment decisions and improve safety around the world.
As our business continues to grow, we are looking to recruit both Engineers and Senior Engineers to join our Major Hazards R&D team.
This is not a conventional engineering role. Many engineering careers focus on applying existing knowledge. At Spadeadam, you will help create it. Our teams develop one‑of‑a‑kind experimental facilities and undertake world‑leading research programmes designed to answer questions that cannot be resolved through standards, guidance or modelling alone. We generate the evidence that helps clients make decisions with confidence.
Our work spans some of the most important challenges facing the energy, industrial and critical infrastructure sectors. Projects may include hydrogen and alternative fuel safety, high‑pressure gas release studies, full‑scale fire and explosion research, pipeline safety and integrity, critical infrastructure resilience, hazardous area investigations, battery energy storage systems, industrial process safety and emerging energy technologies. Our expertise is also increasingly applied to energy security, infrastructure protection and defence‑related programmes.
You will become involved throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development and engineering design through construction, commissioning, testing and operation. One week you may be helping to develop a new hydrogen research facility; the next, you could be designing modifications to a high‑pressure gas system, supporting the construction of a large‑scale test rig, preparing for a full‑scale explosion experiment or helping an international client understand the implications of complex test data. No two projects are the same, and many involve challenges that have never previously been addressed at full scale.
While the work is globally significant, the location offers something increasingly rare. Situated on the Cumbrian side of the border with Northumberland, Spadeadam provides access to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the United Kingdom. The Lake District, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Solway Coast are all within easy reach.
Many colleagues choose to live in rural villages, market towns, Carlisle, Newcastle or southern Scotland, combining an exceptional quality of life with technically challenging and rewarding careers.
As our research, testing and engineering activities are highly practical and collaborative, this role is predominantly site‑based at Spadeadam. Whilst occasional flexibility may be possible where project requirements allow, applicants should expect to spend the vast majority of their working time on site and this role is therefore likely to be best suited to someone within reasonable daily commuting distance of the facility.
We value all our people and the contributions they make to our business, that’s why we offer a flexible reward and benefits package, allowing you to choose the things that matter most to you, including;
DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.
Because of the practical nature of our work, we are particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds in Mechanical Engineering, Gas Engineering, Pipeline Engineering or Chemical Engineering. Experience in pressure systems, process plant, industrial gases, energy infrastructure, experimental facilities, mechanical design, hazardous installations or related industries would be advantageous. We are equally interested in talented engineers with strong fundamentals, curiosity and the potential to develop.
For engineers at an earlier stage in their careers, the role offers an exceptional opportunity to develop rapidly within a highly capable multidisciplinary team. Working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists, you will gain practical experience in mechanical engineering, gas engineering, pipeline systems, pressure systems, experimental design and project delivery. You will be encouraged to take ownership of your work, broaden your technical knowledge and build the skills needed to progress your career.
For experienced engineers, the Senior Engineer role offers the opportunity to take on greater responsibility for technical leadership and project delivery. In addition to leading engineering activities, you will provide technical guidance to colleagues, engage directly with clients, help shape new research programmes and contribute to the continued development of Spadeadam’s engineering capability. This is an opportunity to influence major research and testing programmes while working alongside recognised experts in the field.
Above all, we are looking for practical degree‑qualified engineers who enjoy solving challenging problems, working collaboratively and translating engineering principles into real‑world solutions. You should bring strong engineering fundamentals, sound judgement, curiosity, clear communication and a commitment to delivering high‑quality work safely and professionally. For Senior Engineer applicants, chartership, relevant industry experience and evidence of technical or project leadership will also be important.
Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country‑specific laws and practices.