Senior Research Engineer - Laser Processing

Manufacturing Technology Centre; Coventry; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Coventry is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to lead projects in laser machining technology. The role involves providing technical leadership, managing a team, and mentoring junior engineers. Ideal candidates should have a degree or PhD in a relevant field, experience in laser machining processes, and strong project management skills. This position offers a salary ranging from £48,000 to £55,000, alongside flexible working hours and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Vitality Medical

Company Pension

Tusker Car Scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Good experience in laser machining processes like drilling and cutting.
• Strong understanding of laser-material interactions.
• Proven ability to lead project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership of laser machining projects.
• Coach and mentor team members.
• Identify funding opportunities for R&D programs.

Skills

Laser machining processes

Project management skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree or PhD in engineering, physics, materials science

Tools

CAD/CAM programming

Job description

Job Title: Senior Research Engineer – Laser Machining

Location: Coventry, UK

Job Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 36 Hours per week (Flexible Working Week)

Salary: £48,000 - £55,000 per annum DOE

Benefits: Vitality Medical, Company Pension, Tusker Car Scheme & Cycle 2 work scheme and more.

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Engineer (SRE) to join our Laser Processing team at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. This role will focus on laser machining technologies, including cutting, drilling, and blind machining, supporting the development and delivery of innovative projects, both industrial and research, across aerospace, defence, energy, and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

As a Senior Research Engineer, you will play a key technical leadership role, providing expertise in laser machining processes, leading project delivery, and shaping new technical capabilities. You will work with world‑class equipment and collaborate with leading industrial and academic partners to develop advanced laser manufacturing solutions.

This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of technically challenging projects, contribute to the strategic growth of the MTC’s laser machining capability, and mentor junior engineers. You will also have scope to influence future research directions, working at the interface of applied research and industrial deployment.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership of laser machining project portfolios, ensuring delivery to the highest quality, on time and on budget.
• Take strategic oversight of project alignment, pipeline development and technical business growth with key MTC customers across the sectors.
• Lead and manage the Laser Machining team within the Laser Processing group. Responsibilities include: Strategic deployment of engineers onto laser machining project portfolios.
• Coaching, mentoring and supporting the professional development of team members.
• Setting clear objectives, development plans and performance expectations.
• Promoting wellbeing and creating a supportive, collaborative working environment.
• Drive technical capability development in laser machining, ensuring the MTC remains at the forefront of laser‑based manufacturing technologies.
• Work with academic, industrial and Catapult partners to identify and secure funding opportunities, shaping new collaborative research and development programmes.
• Represent the MTC externally, building relationships with stakeholders, presenting at conferences, and disseminating technical advances.

Person Specification

Essential Skills / Qualifications / Experience

• Degree or PhD in engineering, physics, materials science, or a related discipline.
• Good experience in laser machining processes (e.g. drilling, cutting, precision material removal).
• Experience with one or more laser machining techniques, such as Continuous wave laser, short/ultrashort pulsed lasers, water‑jet guided laser, or hybrid processes.
• Strong understanding of laser‑material interactions and process fundamentals, with demonstrable application in industrial or research environments.
• Proven ability to lead technical delivery of projects, ensuring outputs meet agreed customer requirements, within time and budget.
• Experience developing technical roadmaps and proposals, aligning projects with strategic objectives.
• Evidence of working directly with industrial clients or research collaborators, including requirements capture and customer engagement.
• Demonstrable project management skills, including budget awareness and risk management.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, able to represent MTC in technical forums, customer meetings, and conferences.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and support the development of junior engineers.
• A collaborative, hands‑on approach, with willingness to contribute to practical delivery as well as leadership.

Desirable Skills / Qualifications / Experience

• Chartered Engineer (or working towards professional registration).
• Knowledge of process monitoring and control for laser machining (e.g. sensors, AI‑driven optimisation, in‑process diagnostics).
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM and laser programming for multi‑axis machining systems.
• Collaborative R&D bid development including ideas creation, identification of funding routes, consortium building and bid writing.
• Experience disseminating research through journal publications, patents, or conferences.
• Exposure to the UK manufacturing sector, Catapult network, and UK/EU funding landscape.
• Experience in line management or technical team leadership, including deployment, objective setting, and wellbeing support.

Interview Process

Once you submit your application, this will be passed on to our Talent Acquisition team for review. If you are successfully shortlisted, the next steps will be a 2‑stage interview process.

Reference and Security Checks

Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained alongside a level of security clearance checks.