Research Engineer - Connectivity

Research Engineer - Connectivity

As a Research Engineer at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), you will have the opportunity to apply the skills you have developed through your career to solve real-world manufacturing problems. Working within a team of multiple disciplines at the Integrated Manufacturing Group (IMG) to develop novel solutions for the high-value manufacturing sector, you will conduct research into specific technical fields, including Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Digital Thread.

As a research engineer, you will be responsible for leading the technical delivery of projects in your area of expertise, delivering continuous improvements to IMG processes and building AMRC’s reputation in IIoT.

You will be expected to deliver tasks and support the work of junior colleagues, work to set timescales, operate within a diverse team and contribute to the successful completion of projects. You will also contribute to scoping new projects based on your previous work. Your work will encompass all aspects of working with manufacturers, large and small, to identify and deliver projects aimed at improving efficiency, productivity, quality, and sustainability.

In this role you will be expected to continuously develop your skills and keep abreast of emerging technologies in a specific field. You will use these skills to help IMG deliver tangible impact to the UK high value manufacturing sector.

• Lead delivery of technical project tasks related to industrial connectivity, acting as a recognised source of expertise within your specialist area.
• Plan, design and conduct experimental work, synthesising outputs into clear technical recommendations and project reporting deliverables.
• Take responsibility for organising and prioritising your own workload and resources to meet project objectives, timescales and quality requirements.
• Communicate complex technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through written reports, presentations and stakeholder discussions.
• Represent the AMRC in stakeholder engagement activities with industrial and academic partners, contributing technical expertise and developing collaborative relationships.
• Lead or contribute to the development of solutions to complex manufacturing and highly technical engineering problems, considering longer‑term technical and operational implications.
• Collaborate with colleagues across multiple teams to coordinate technical activities, plan workloads and support successful project delivery.
• Research, evaluate and apply novel technologies, techniques and methodologies to advance capability and solve specific manufacturing challenges.
• Contribute to technical planning, continuous improvement activities and the development of working practices within your specialist area.
• Adhere to and promote the AMRC’s quality management system and health and safety requirements, supporting a culture of safe and compliant working.
• Write technical engineering reports, and technically review the reports of peers in your specialist area.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and technical assistance to peers and less experienced colleagues where required.
• Attend and contribute to conferences, trade shows and industry events as a representative of the AMRC, presenting work and developing external networks where appropriate.
• Support project delivery outside of your immediate specialism where required, contributing engineering expertise across multidisciplinary activities.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• Have a good honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent industrial experience).
• Ability to work independently and to guide others within a team and manage own time effectively.
• Ability to communicate, both written and verbally (report writing, presenting work).
• Experience of developing solutions to complex and highly technical problems in the field of IIoT.
• Awareness of business systems such as product life cycle management and manufacturing execution systems.
• Experience with industrial connectivity and communication protocols (e.g. MQTT, OPC UA).
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence and how it can be applied in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of approaches to system resilience, scaling, and concurrency (e.g. BEAM).
• Familiarity with…