Research And Development Engineer

CBSbutler; Larkhill; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CBSbutler is seeking a Research And Development Engineer for an advanced propulsion organisation in the Defence Technology sector. You will own innovation projects from concept to implementation, developing new technologies, building prototypes, validating designs, and delivering real‑world engineering solutions that shape future products and manufacturing capabilities.

You'll have significant autonomy, influence technical direction, and collaborate with specialists across design, materials,

Qualifications

• Significant experience in research, development, advanced engineering or product innovation environments.
• Hands-on prototyping, machining and experimental development.
• Strong mechanical design and development expertise.
• Experience designing, building and validating prototypes and test equipment.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and lead technical work packages.
• Experience managing budgets, schedules and technical deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects from concept to implementation.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance, cost and lead time.
• Develop business cases for new technologies and secure stakeholder buy-in.
• Design, build and validate prototypes, tooling and test equipment.
• Manage project budgets, milestones and technical deliverables.
• Produce and approve engineering drawings and 3D models.
• Conduct feasibility studies and technical investigations.
• Collaborate with suppliers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Own verification and validation activities for robust solutions.
• Monitor emerging technologies to inform future capability.

Skills

R&D experience

Prototyping

Mechanical design

DfMA

GD&T

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Job description

Advanced Propulsion | Research & Development | Defence Technology

If you're the type of engineer who sees a better way of doing things and has the technical credibility to make it happen, this could be the role you've been looking for.

We're seeking a Research And Development Engineer to join an advanced engineering organisation developing next‑generation propulsion technologies for highly demanding applications.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of innovation projects from concept through to implementation—identifying opportunities, developing new technologies, building prototypes, validating designs, and delivering real‑world engineering solutions that shape future products and manufacturing capabilities.

You'll enjoy significant autonomy, influence technical direction, and work alongside specialists across design, materials, manufacturing, testing and applied science disciplines.

What you'll be doing

• Leading research and technology projects from initial concept through to implementation
• Identifying opportunities to improve product performance, manufacturing capability, cost and lead time
• Developing business cases for new technologies and securing stakeholder buy‑in
• Designing, building and validating prototypes, tooling and specialised test equipment
• Managing project budgets, schedules and technical deliverables
• Producing and approving engineering designs, drawings and 3D models
• Conducting trade studies, technical investigations and feasibility assessments
• Working closely with suppliers, manufacturing partners and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Owning verification and validation activities to ensure robust technical solutions
• Monitoring emerging technologies and identifying opportunities to enhance future capability

Leadership & Influence

As a senior member of the team, you'll also:

• Mentor and develop graduate and junior engineers
• Provide technical leadership across innovation programmes
• Review and approve engineering work packages
• Influence technology strategy and future development roadmaps
• Act as a key technical interface for internal and external stakeholders

What we're looking for

• Significant experience within research, development, advanced engineering or product innovation environments
• A proven track record of taking concepts from idea through to implemented solution
• Strong mechanical design and development expertise
• Hands‑on experience with prototyping, machining and experimental development
• Excellent understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)
• Strong knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T, limits and fits
• Experience managing technical projects, budgets and schedules
• Ability to work independently and make sound engineering decisions
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

You’ll stand out if you have experience in:

• Aerospace, defence, propulsion, automotive, energy or other high‑performance engineering sectors
• New product introduction (NPI)
• Research and development programmes
• Prototype development and testing
• Materials engineering and manufacturing processes
• Advanced mechanical systems and precision engineering

Why apply?

• Work on genuinely cutting‑edge technology development programmes
• Own projects from concept to delivery
• Influence the future direction of advanced engineering capability
• Combine hands‑on engineering with strategic innovation
• Mentor the next generation of engineers
• Join a highly skilled team solving complex technical challenges

This is an opportunity for an engineer who enjoys creating, improving and delivering—not simply maintaining what's already there.

If you thrive on innovation, technical leadership and turning ambitious ideas into reality, we'd love to hear from you.