Lead Development Engineer

Job Title: Lead Development Engineer

Location: Coventry, UK

Core

Hours:

08:00-16:35 (Mon – Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)

Vacancy Type: Full-time, Permanent, Site-based

Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 (subject to experience) + Discretionary Bonus

As a Lead Development Engineer at NP Aerospace, you will play a key role in developing the next generation of lightweight, combat‑proven protection solutions. Our armour products use high‑performance composite materials to protect people and vehicles, from helmets, body plates, shields and bomb disposal suits through to highly engineered composite systems for armoured vehicles, delivering outstanding ballistic and mechanical performance at significantly reduced weight compared with steel.

This is a role for an engineer who enjoys ownership and pace. You will take responsibility for multiple projects within our R&D function, turning requirements into practical, tested solutions that meet technical expectations and are delivered to cost and schedule. Working across design, manufacturing, quality and commercial teams, you will help drive development activity from concept through to validation, with real‑world impact on products that protect lives.

The role is primarily site‑based, with a flexible working schedule and some working from home where suitable.

Does this sound like your kind of challenge? If so, keep reading!

At NP Aerospace, we know our success comes from our people. That’s why we invest in benefits that support your health, reward your hard work, and help you grow your career:

• Performance rewards – discretionary bonus opportunities
• Flex your day – flexible start and finish times (subject to manager approval and operational needs)
• Time to recharge – 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more through our Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Support for Defence – two weeks’ paid leave for Reservists and Cadets, plus paid leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
• Future security – competitive pension scheme (9% combined employer/employee contributions)
• Peace of mind – life cover at 3x base salary
• Health & wellbeing first – BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan to support everyday health costs
• Grow with us – career development and advancement opportunities within a global business
• Supportive environment – a team culture built on innovation, collaboration, and purpose

The main responsibilities for the role will include:

• Responsibility for the technical development of internal and customer‑specific development projects.
• Creating project plans and engineering documentation (DFMEA, DVP&R, etc.)
• Organising customer and internal meetings to support the project.
• Supporting costing and pricing activity for new products.
• Ensuring verification and validation activities are demonstrated and documented for design reviews.
• Providing technical support to the Design, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Marketing and Commercial teams.
• Responsible for problem‑solving of design and product‑related issues.
• Resolving functional issues as they arise throughout the development and service life cycle.
• Developing specifications and test programmes.
• Analyzing and interpreting test result data.
• Creating and delivering reports to internal colleagues and external customers.
• Developing component manufacturing and providing schematics, CNC programming, manufacturing documentation/guidelines, hands‑on manufacturing support and training.
• Verification and validation activities including supporting internal and customer‑funded ballistic trials.
• Reviewing CAD and detailed designs.
• Providing material and processing knowledge to the wider business.

The above is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required.

Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI‑assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.

• Degree level education in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering or similar, or equivalent experience.
• Experience delivering full‑lifecycle design and development projects from concept to launch…