Research & Innovation Engineer (Visual Signalling)

Trinity House; Tendring; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A maritime charity in Harwich is seeking a Research & Innovation Engineer to manage visual signalling projects. The role involves refining LED light source designs, conducting light measurements, and utilizing drones for performance assessments. The ideal candidate will possess a science or engineering degree, strong project management abilities, and effective communication skills. This position offers a chance to influence marine navigation aids within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Able to effectively communicate technical matters.
• Practical experience in a marine environment is desirable.
• Good project management skills are important.

Responsibilities

• Manage visual signalling projects within the department.
• Carry out technical tasks and write reports on key conclusions.
• Work alongside engineers to maintain light measurement facilities.

Skills

Project management skills

Effective communication

Innovative thinking

Education

Science or engineering degree

Job description

Research & Innovation Engineer (Visual Signalling)

Permanent

Harwich

£47,498.00 - 54,998.00 per annum (Successful candidates will be appointed on the starting salary of this range) 37 hours per week

Trinity House works for the benefit and safety of all mariners as a General Lighthouse Authority and maritime charity. Our people are central to our reputation as a leading maritime organisation, as is our commitment as an employer to developing the skills, capabilities and potential of our workforce.

Do you enjoy supporting innovation at a national and international level? Would you like to enhance your reputation working with a team of highly respected experts on cutting-edge technology that makes a real difference to keeping all safe at sea? If so, this role could be for you!

The GLA Research and Development (GRAD) team support the development of new and emerging marine aids-to-navigation (AtoN) technologies for the General Lighthouse Authorities of the UK and Ireland (GLA): Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights. The team is world renowned and trusted for its expertise, which is used to develop novel ideas, through system development, trials and ultimately working to secure international standardisation. The visual signalling team also provides engineering support to the GLA to ensure that operational marine visual signals are performing as required.

The role:

This role supports delivery of visual signalling projects within the department, working on aspects such as refining the cooling design of LED light sources, on-site light intensity measurement of lighthouses and investigations into the use of drones for visual signalling performance confirmation. The jobholder will manage these types of projects, as well as carry out technical tasks and write reports to inform GLA colleagues of key conclusions. These projects are focussed on the ensuring that the GLAs can provide a robust service to the mariner by developing new products, design tools for engineers and carrying out light measurements.

Being a small team, the candidate will be able to influence the direction and planning of projects within GRAD. As such, an open minded, innovative and driven individual is required in the role. The individual will also be required to work alongside other engineers to manage, maintain and use the light measurement facilities in Harwich. Experience of working with marine visual signals is desirable, but not essential as training can be provided to the successful candidate.

The candidate would be expected to concentrate their efforts on visual signalling projects, although there will be opportunities to work in other areas of GRAD such as radionavigation and communication services. This will give the candidate the potential to broaden their knowledge and experience.

Ideally, the candidate will hold a science or engineering degree or equivalent experience. They should have practical experience of engineering in a marine environment, be able to communicate technical matters in an effective manner and have good project management skills.

Whilst the department provides research and development capabilities to support all three general lighthouse authorities of the UK and Ireland, the contract of employment will be with Trinity House. This post will be located with the GRAD team in Harwich, although we offer flexible working arrangements. The role will require some national and international travel. Since some of the work requires safe manual handling practices at lighthouses, including some with only helicopter or boat access, the candidate should be reasonably physically fit.

This is a great opportunity for an individual to influence the direction of future marine aids-to-navigation whilst working in a supportive friendly team!

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact the Principal Visual Signalling Engineer, Dr Alwyn Williams, on [e-mail] for an informal chat. For more about who we are and what we do, please visit the GRAD website at www.gla-rad.org.

Interview: week commencing 9th February 2026

We welcome qualified individuals to apply and we look forward to reviewing your applications for this exciting opportunity. We are committed to equity within a respectful, diverse and inclusive environment.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the online application process, by submitting your CV along with a supporting statement, evidencing how you meet the role requirements.