Project Engineer

University of Sheffield; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university is seeking a Project Engineer to innovate solutions for Defence projects. This full-time role involves solving complex manufacturing challenges, conducting research, and presenting findings. Applicants should possess a relevant engineering degree and strong IT skills. The position offers a competitive salary of £32,080 to £39,906, along with substantial benefits including flexible working and generous leave. This is an excellent opportunity for an engaging career in a supportive university environment.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

38 days annual leave

Flexible working opportunities

Wide range of discounts and rewards

Learning and mentoring schemes

Qualifications

• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in report writing and delivering presentations.
• Ability to manage information and capture actions.

Responsibilities

• Solve complex manufacturing and technical problems.
• Research and analyse data for reports.
• Implement and oversee experiment preparation.
• Present data results professionally to stakeholders.

Skills

IT skills including Microsoft Office

Effective communication skills

Customer service skills

Creative problem solving

Education

Good honours degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

CAD software

CAM software

Job description

01 / 12 / 2025

Job Id : 1970

School / Department : Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Work Arrangement : Full Time (On site)

Contract Type : Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£) : 32,080.00 - 39,906.00

Closing Date : 15 / 12 / 2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

As a Project Engineer, you will work specifically on Defence projects within our research team at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. We want you to be primarily responsible for researching and developing innovative solutions to manufacturing problems. Working as part of a team, we would like you to excel by researching and trialling new technologies and developing processes which help our customers drive step‑change improvements in manufacturing performance.

Effective customer service and communication skills, including the ability to write reports and deliver presentations is a real advantage. A good understanding or experience with current software packages, manufacturing processes and technologies will help you to fulfil your role. You should also have an ability to develop a creative approach to problem solving.

Please be aware that there is a requirement for the successful applicant to obtain Security Check clearance (SC) as this role is in the Defence sector. Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the check when you are applying for this post. More details can be found on the Government website : gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Main duties and responsibilities

• Responsible for solving complex manufacturing and other highly technical problems. This will mean ensuring that solutions are properly focused in the most effective manner.
• Research, analyse, collate, and edit data and techniques for inclusion in reports and other documents to summarise main findings and conclusions of tests and experiments.
• Implement and oversee the preparation of materials (work piece, tooling, fixtures, etc.) and set up equipment for experiments that have been designed specifically to meet research objectives and find solutions.
• Develop skills through external or on the job training, suitable to accomplish the engineering and project tasks required.
• Present data results to internal and external stakeholders at all levels in a professional and concise manner.
• Plan and carry out tasks and responsibilities over the short‑medium term, with an awareness of longer‑term issues to meet the research objectives set in a project.
• Working alongside the Project Management team to plan and order appropriate tooling, materials and hardware ahead of project requirement.
• Update Project Manager and Technical Line Manager with progress reports and escalation of any issues.
• Work alongside the Central Team and the Factory Management site staff to enable smooth transitions of project deliveries and to facilitate machining demonstrations.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

• Essential: Have a good honours degree in an engineering discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Essential: Application – Strong IT skills including Microsoft office.
• Essential: Application – Willingness and ability to travel.
• Essential: Application – The ability to plan, monitor and revise requirements based on changing circumstances and events.
• Interview: Management of information, including capturing actions, carrying out and follow up of actions.
• Application / Interview: Effective communication skills, both written and verbal. Where possible experience in report writing skills, delivering a variety of presentations, communicating to staff at all levels.
• Application / Interview: Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to phone and email enquiries.
• Application / Interview: The personal desire to embrace "on‑the‑job" technical guidance and training opportunities to further the successful candidates' knowledge and capabilities.
• Interview: Be willing to work on defence projects and attain SC clearance.
• Application: Experience with CAD / CAM software and NC machining hardware.
• Application / Interview: Experience of working effectively and efficiently within both small and large teams.
• Application / Interview: Experience of performing experimental work.

Further Information

Grade

Salary

£32,080 - £36,636 with potential to progress to £39,906 through outstanding contribution.

Work arrangement

Full‑time – Fixed term to May 31st 2029 – on site.

Line manager

Technical Fellow

Direct reports

N / A

Our website

https://www.amrc.co.uk/

For informal enquiries about this job contact Rob Gibson [e-mail]

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place 2 weeks following interview completion. This will consist of a 50‑minute interview, including a 10‑minute presentation (topic to be confirmed on invite to interview).

If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Rob Gibson [e-mail]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision : sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies.

Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

• support for those going through the menopause.
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment.
• and more.

More details can be found on our benefits page : sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

Please be aware that there is a requirement for the successful applicant to undertake a Baseline Personnel Security Standard check (BPSS). Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the check when you are applying for this post.

More details can be found on the Government website : https://www.gov.uk/gov‑publications/united-kingdom-security‑vetting‑clearance‑levels/national-security‑vetting‑clearance‑levels#baseline‑personnel‑security‑standard‑bpss.

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page : sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Please be aware that there is a requirement for the successful applicant to obtain Security Check clearance (SC) as this role is in the Defence sector. Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the check when you are applying for this post. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website : gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).