Research and Development Technology Engineer

BAT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market leading annual bonus

Health plans vary by country

Flexible holiday plan and development

Job summary

BAT is seeking a Research and Development Technology Engineer in Southampton to turn early ideas into working proof‑of‑concept devices. You will lead front‑end R&D workstreams and work with internal teams and external partners to explore technical feasibility.

You will apply physics, first‑principles thinking and practical engineering judgment to solve challenging problems, and you’ll contribute to protecting confidential information and supporting future product opportunities.

Qualifications

• Hands‑on engineering background in electro‑mechanical tech development or prototyping.
• Experience creating new technologies or proof of concept devices.
• Strong ability to design, build, modify and troubleshoot prototypes and hardware.
• Experience planning and executing experimental tests and analysing data.

Responsibilities

• Lead front‑end R&D technology workstreams with defined scope and delivery plans.
• Create and develop new technology concepts, proof of concept devices and test rigs.
• Apply physics and modelling to understand behaviour and guide design decisions.
• Support IP by reviewing prior art and identifying patent opportunities.

Skills

Prototyping

Hardware design

Data analysis

First principles thinking

Problem solving

Project ownership

Communication

Education

Engineering degree or HNC

Tools

CAD

Microsoft Office

Workshop methods

Data management systems

Job description

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.

To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGY ENGINEER in Southampton

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?

As Research and Development Technology Engineer, you will work at the front end of R&D, developing and de-risking new technologies that can feed into future New Category products. This is a hands‑on technology development role focused on turning early ideas into working proof of concept devices through creative problem solving, rapid prototyping, experimental testing, physics‑based analysis, and modelling. You will lead defined technology workstreams from concept through to evidence generation, helping the team understand what is technically possible before ideas move into product development.

What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organisation?

This role directly strengthens the mechanical engineering team’s ability to identify, build and prove new technologies for future product opportunities. It creates prototypes, test evidence, models and engineering insight needed to make early technical decisions, reduce uncertainty, and shape the next generation of products. The role is not focused on final product design, production engineering or validation; it is focused on solving hard technical problems early, quickly and practically.

Reports to

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Number of Direct Reports

N/A

Core Relationships

Internal – Engineering, prototyping, industrial design, liquids, science, product stewardship, marketing, project management and R&D leadership.

External – Suppliers, technology partners, prototype manufacturers and specialist test or analysis providers.

Geographic Scope

Global

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Lead defined front‑end R&D technology workstreams, taking ownership of scope, technical approach, delivery plans, risks and outputs.
• Create and develop new technology concepts, proof of concept devices, prototypes, test rigs and experimental setups to explore technical feasibility.
• Apply physics, first‑principles thinking, modelling and practical engineering judgement to understand behaviour and solve challenging technical problems.
• Support IP aware development by reviewing relevant prior art, identifying patent opportunities and protecting BAT confidential information.
• Plan, run and interpret experimental tests, using data to iterate designs, validate assumptions and recommend the next technical direction.
• Work with internal experts, suppliers and technology partners to access specialist capability, rapidly build learning and adopt promising new technologies.
• Communicate engineering findings clearly through technical reviews, reports, presentations and data management tools.
• Capture learning clearly so that successful technologies can be transferred into future product development projects with confidence.

What are we looking for?

Experience Required

• Minimum 3 years’ relevant hands‑on engineering experience in electro‑mechanical technology development, applied R&D, product innovation, prototyping, or experimental engineering.
• Experience creating new technologies or proof of concept devices, not only maintaining, validating or incrementally improving existing products.
• Strong practical experience designing, building, modifying and troubleshooting prototypes, rigs, fixtures or experimental hardware.
• Experience planning and executing experimental tests, analysing data and using the results to make clear engineering recommendations.
• Experience applying physics, first principles calculations, modelling, or simulation to understand system behaviour and guide technical choices.
• Experience taking ownership of technical work packages or small projects, with the ability to work independently.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Creative, practical and structured problem solving, with the confidence to explore ambiguous technical challenges and turn ideas into working hardware.
• Strong hands‑on prototyping capability, supported by CAD, drawings, workshop methods, supplier engagement, or rapid manufacturing techniques.
• Ability to use calculations, modelling, simulation, or data analysis to understand physical behaviour and support design decisions.
• Awareness of intellectual property potential and the importance of protecting confidential technical information.
• Clear communication of technical work through reviews, reports, presentations, and data led recommendations.
• Strong Microsoft Office and data management capability.
• Ability to lead technical activity with pace, collaborate across disciplines, and make pragmatic decisions when developing early‑stage technologies.

Education / Professional Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Engineering based degree / HNC level qualification or relevant technical / design / engineering experience.

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work‑life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Your journey with us isn’t limited by boundaries; it’s propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn’t just a statement – it’s a reality we’re eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You’ll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio‑economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re‑enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.