Research Professional - Robotics

BT Group; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% on target annual bonus

Private GP 24/7 for you and your close

Paid carers leave 2 weeks

Maternity/paternity/adoption leave - 1

Pension scheme 5% employee + 10% BT

Holiday purchase scheme

BT product discounts

Flexible benefits package

Job summary

BT Group in Ipswich is seeking a Research Professional - Robotics to tackle physical infrastructure challenges at BT’s exchanges and data centres. You will identify issues across 4,500 exchange sites, develop innovative solutions, and coordinate with engineering teams to implement changes.

The role combines research with practical application in a collaborative, small team. Based in Ipswich, the position follows a hybrid model with in-office presence three days per week.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills; regularly presents to peers and managers about research and technical expertise.
• Engineering background in mechanical or civil engineering.
• Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assess old infrastructure sites to identify challenges and translate inventive solutions into real-world applications.
• Prototype new ideas and support the team in developing approaches.
• Coordinate partnerships with downstream BT Group engineering teams to solve problems.
• Deliver and support field engineering change initiatives and transformation activities.
• Highlight new field challenges based on field research.

Skills

Strong communication

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Self-starting

Education

Engineering degree (mechanical or civil)

Job description

Job Description

Req ID: 60999

Job Title: Research Professional - Robotics

Job Function: Product & Propositions

Posting Start Date: 05/08/2026

Posting End Date: 19/08/2026

Division: Networks

Job Location: GBR Ipswich - Orion Building

Advertised Salary: Competitive with great benefits

Hiring Manager: Violeta Novakovic

Career Grade: E

Internal Closing Date: 19/08/2026

About the role

In this role, you will contribute to solving physical infrastructure challenges at BT's exchanges and data centres by working in a novel, inventive environment.

This role combines inventive problem-solving with real-world application, translating technical innovations into practical solutions that address BT's infrastructure needs.

You will identify challenges across BT's 4,500 exchange sites and similar infrastructure, develop ideas to resolve them, and manage stakeholder coordination across the business to implement solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation, applying research to real-world engineering challenges and contributing to the development and deployment of cutting-edge tools and robotic systems.

You'll be part of a small, friendly team that work collaboratively to solve problems.

This role is based in Ipswich and our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office at least three days per week.

What you’ll be doing

You will assess old infrastructure sites to identify challenges, contributing innovative ideas for solving those challenges and translating inventive solutions into real-world problem applications.

• Supporting with the project management of complex Smart Tools and Robotics (STaR) research projects, ensuring alignment with and contribution to the overall maturity of the research strategy.


• Prototyping of new ideas, supporting the team to develop approaches and methods.


• Coordinates partnerships and engagements with downstream BT Group engineering teams to solve problems and identify trends and opportunities.


• Delivers and supports field engineering change initiatives and transformation activities that contribute to heightened customer experience.


• Brings to light new field challenges based on field research.

Essential Skills / Experience

Strong communication skills -Regularly presents to peers and managers about their research and area of technical expertise.

Engineering background in mechanical or civil engineering

Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration

Desirable Skills / Experience

Experience in data centres and exchanges: nice to have

Experience in civil engineering or physical infrastructure space: nice to have

Heavy cable environments experience: nice to have

Self-starting and willing to learn

Ability to translate technical problems into layman's terms

Our Package

Tailored benefits make a real difference. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range to support your growth, wellbeing, and everyday life. You can design the package to suit you and your lifestyle. Your core benefits include:

• 10% on target annual bonus


• Access to an online private GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family


• Market-leading paid carers leave with up to 2 weeks off


• Equalised maternity, paternity, and adoption leave – 18weeks’full pay and 8weeks’half pay


• Discounted EE and BT products, including mobile and broadband


• Market leading Pension scheme – 5% from you and 10% from us


• Holiday purchase scheme


• You can select additional benefits, including healthcare, dental, gym memberships and more when you’re ready.

BT Group is the UK’s leading communications group and the holding company behind some of the country’s most recognised brands – including BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet. Our purpose is as simple as it is ambitious: we connect for good. Our customers include consumers, small, medium and large businesses, public sector organisations and other communications providers.

BT Group’s role is about setting direction, unlocking value and creating the conditions for our brands and businesses to thrive.

Having come through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, our focus now is on what comes next – simplifying how we operate, using technology and AI to work smarter, and organising ourselves to serve customers better and grow sustainably. Group teams shape strategy, policy, brand, capital allocation and transformation, helping the whole organisation perform at its best.

We have a singular culture that unites all our people: we are customer-first challengers, who are committed, clear and connected. These behaviours unite us as one team to deliver for our colleagues, our customers, our stakeholders and the country. Joining BT Group means working at the heart of a business that matters to the UK, with the opportunity to shape decisions, influence outcomes and help set the future course of one of the country’s most important companies.