Research & Innovation Engineer (Visual Signalling)

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

Job summary

A leading maritime organisation in Harwich is seeking a Research & Innovation Engineer to support visual signalling projects and engineering tasks. The role requires a science or engineering degree and practical experience in marine aids-to-navigation. Join a respected team and influence future technologies with opportunities for national and international travel, offering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Practical experience of marine aids-to-navigation engineering.
• Ability to communicate technical matters effectively.
• Good project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of visual signalling projects.
• Manage technical tasks and write reports.
• Work alongside other engineers on light measurement facilities.

Skills

Communication of technical matters

Project management skills

Interest in metrology

Education

Science or engineering degree (2:1 preferred)

Job description

Research & Innovation Engineer (Visual Signalling)

Permanent Harwich £47,498.00 - 54,998.00 per annum 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 tasks such as refining the cooling design of LED light sources, light intensity measurement of lighthouses in the field and investigations into the use of drones for visual signalling performance confirmation. The jobholder will manage these projects, as well as carry out technical tasks and write reports to inform GLA colleagues of key conclusions.

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. An interest in metrology would be beneficial. 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 (2:1 preferred) or equivalent experience. They should have practical experience of marine aids-to-navigation engineering, 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.

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 8th December 2025

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.