Senior Research Engineer

Shape the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

At the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), we are at the forefront of innovation, helping manufacturers transform ideas into industrial reality. As part of the UK's High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we work alongside leading industrial partners, academic institutions and government bodies to develop and scale breakthrough technologies.

This is an exciting opportunity for a degree, Master's or PhD-qualified Engineer or Materials Scientist with expertise in thin film technologies to take ownership of cutting‑edge research and development projects.

You’ll be a recognised technical specialist, leading the delivery of innovative projects from concept through to industrial application, while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, customers and stakeholders.

• Lead the technical delivery of research and development projects involving advanced thin‑film deposition technologies.
• Support the development, optimisation and scale‑up of manufacturing processes.
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing technical guidance to engineers, customers and industrial partners.
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing processes, quality standards and health and safety practices.
• Take ownership of project deliverables, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget and to customer expectations.
• Contribute to innovative engineering research focused on Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) 3+.
• Support the identification and implementation of new technology capabilities across MTC and customer environments.
• Oversee project compliance, technical governance, commissioning activities and budget management.

We're looking for an ambitious and technically capable engineer who thrives in a research‑led, industrial environment.

• Degree, Master's or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Practical experience with vapour deposition processes.
• Strong understanding of vacuum systems.
• Experience using thin‑film and materials characterisation techniques, such as:
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • X‑Ray Diffraction (XRD)
  • Interferometry
  • Mechanical and tribological testing.

• Knowledge of functional coatings for aerospace, defence, energy, optical, electronic or industrial applications.
• Experience scaling laboratory processes into manufacturing environments.
• Understanding of vacuum system design, diagnostics and maintenance.
• Experience working within regulated or high‑technology manufacturing sectors.

• Work with world‑leading manufacturing technologies and facilities.
• Collaborate with some of the brightest engineering and scientific minds in the UK.
• Deliver projects with real industrial impact across multiple sectors.
• Access excellent professional development opportunities and career progression.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and flexible working arrangements.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is an internationally renowned and respected research and development organisation, bridging the gap between academia and manufacturing, and is home to some of the brightest minds in engineering from around the globe. The MTC's engineers, scientists and technicians work with some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world in a supportive and collegiate environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale, helping manufacturers of all sizes develop new and innovative processes and technologies.

Established to prove cutting edge manufacturing advances in an agile environment in partnership with…