Principal Engineer

TWI Ltd; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 44,500 - 80,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share-in-success bonus

Pension scheme

Private health insurance

Onsite restaurant

Onsite gym

Job summary

TWI Ltd is seeking a Principal Engineer to join its Laser Additive Manufacturing team in Sheffield. The role is hybrid, based in Sheffield with some travel, and a 36-hour week.

The salary ranges from £44,500 to £80,500 per year, with a permanent contract and a focus on advancing laser-based manufacturing technologies. You will lead development and deployment, design experiments, analyse data, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-quality customer solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience with laser-based AM processes.
• Familiarity with process development and quality control.
• Ability to deliver technical solutions in a multidisciplinary setting.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and deployment of laser additive manufacturing processes.
• Lead technical work packages and deliver projects with team support.
• Design and run experimental programmes to improve manufacturing processes.
• Analyse data and present findings to customers and project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists and project teams across disciplines.
• Translate customer requirements into practical engineering solutions.
• Contribute to on-time delivery of customer-facing projects to high technical standards.
• Manage workload and priorities in a dynamic project environment.

Skills

Additive manufacturing

Project management

Materials science

Metallurgy

CAD/CAM

DfAM

Technical problem-solving

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Tools

Siemens NX

Job description

Senior Engineer/Principle Engineer Principal Engineer Laser Additive Manufacturing

Location: Sheffield, UK

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Hybrid (Sheffield-based, in line with business requirements)

Hours: Full-time, 36 hours per week

Job Profile: Principal Engineer

Salary: £44,500 - £80,500 per annum

Reference: JR100890

Closing Date: 21 August 2026

Security Requirements: To be confirmed if applicable

About the Role

We are seeking a Principal Engineer to join our Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) team, supporting the development and industrial application of advanced laser-based manufacturing technologies. Working at the forefront of innovation, you will contribute to the development and optimisation of technologies including: Laser Directed Energy Deposition (L-DED) using powder and wire feed systems Extreme High-Speed Laser Application (EHLA) Hot wire laser cladding These technologies are applied across a range of sectors, including aerospace, energy and defence, supporting the repair, surface enhancement and manufacture of high-value components. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in delivering innovative manufacturing solutions for customers, applying engineering expertise to improve process performance, material integrity and component quality while solving complex technical challenges.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the development, optimisation and industrial deployment of laser additive manufacturing processes
• Lead technical work packages and, where appropriate, deliver complete projects with support from colleagues
• Design and execute experimental programmes to evaluate and improve manufacturing processes
• Analyse and interpret technical data, presenting findings to customers and project stakeholders
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists and project teams across multiple disciplines
• Translate customer requirements into practical engineering solutions
• Contribute to the successful delivery of customer‑facing projects on time and to a high technical standard
• Manage your own workload and priorities within a dynamic project environment

About You

• Additive manufacturing, particularly laser‑based processes such as L‑DED or laser cladding
• Project management and technical project delivery
• Materials science and materials processing
• Metallurgy, welding and additive manufacturing principles
• CAD/CAM and digital engineering tools (experience with Siemens NX would be advantageous)
• Process development, parameter optimisation and quality control
• Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary project delivery
• Technical problem‑solving and continuous improvement

Travel

This position may require travel in the UK and abroad to support customer, project and collaboration activities.

About us

TWI Ltd is a world expert in engineering, materials and joining technologies with significant property assets. We provide industry with advice and know-how in design, fabrication, failure analysis and prevention. We offer opportunities to collaborate with inspiring and expert teams and a supportive environment in which you are actively encouraged to share your ideas and continually develop your own skills and knowledge. If you are looking to join an organisation that is fuelled by innovation, teamwork, and openness, this role could be for you.

Diversity statement

TWI Ltd is committed to treating all employees fairly and to being an inclusive employer. Our aim is to create a work environment where our employees can reach their full potential. We put Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of our people practices to attract, develop and retain the best talent.

Inclusion

We recognise that it’s the differences of our people that gives us the competitive edge and enables us to maintain our world leading reputation. This is why we are committed to ensuring there is diversity across every level of our organisation; representative of the Members and societies we serve. We have made Inclusion our number one corporate value to demonstrate our commitment to ensure it is at the core of everything we do at TWI.

Disability Confident Scheme

We are pleased to confirm that we have achieved the first stage accreditation, which means we are a ‘Disability Confident Employer’. This is a government‑supported scheme that supports organisations like TWI to make the most of the talents that people with disability can bring to our workplace. The scheme helps us recruit and retain great people; draw from the widest possible pool of talent; secure high‑quality employees who are skilled, loyal and hardworking; and improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that we treat all of our people fairly.

Why work for TWI?

• We offer a competitive salary
• share‑in‑success bonus scheme
• generous pension scheme (both employee contribution (flexible amount) and TWI contribution (up to 10% of salary))
• holiday (20 days + 5 Corporate days + 8 bank holiday’s)
• private health and dental cover
• career development and training
• onsite employee restaurant
• onsite gym
• day nursery available for companies on Granta Park (Cambridge) site (subject to availability)
• onsite parking and more

We know that balancing work and personal life can at times be challenging. This is why we continue to review and implement family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible working, enhanced maternity pay and paid parental leave.

Working hours: 36 hours per week (full time), 8.30am -16.30pm Monday to Thursday (finishing at 16.15pm on Friday). Part‑time and hybrid working available in some roles.

Artificial Intelligence: At TWI, we want you to know that your application is in good hands. We do not use AI tools or automated systems to review or sift through applications. Instead, every application is personally reviewed by the hiring manager. We believe in being open and transparent with our candidates, and we’re committed to giving your application the attention it deserves.

TWI Culture

As one of the world’s leading independent research and technology organisations, we are committed to attracting, motivating and retaining the best talent from around the world. Our goal is to develop the next generation of experts to address future industry challenges. We are committed to creating a culture that recognises and respects the differences between people while valuing the contribution everyone makes to TWI. The diversity of our staff and students makes a positive and important contribution to our continuing success.

TWI Values

Our six values provide a point of reference for the way we expect our people to operate and behave.

• Inclusion: Valuing the contribution from every individual, creating value for our customers
• Teamwork: Building effective working relationships, we accomplish more together
• Adaptability: Engaging positively with change to meet the needs of the business
• Taking Responsibility: Achieving our objectives and personal development
• Innovation & Expertise: Championing new ideas and sharing knowledge to solve industry problems
• Customer Focus: Building trusting relationships with our customers

TWI Ltd is a world expert in engineering, materials and joining technologies with significant property assets. We provide industry with advice and know-how in design, fabrication, failure analysis and prevention. We offer opportunities to collaborate with inspiring and expert teams and a supportive environment in which you are actively encouraged to share your ideas and continually develop your own skills and knowledge. If you are looking to join an organisation that is fuelled by innovation, teamwork, and openness, this role could be for you.