Principal Engineer – Automotive Damageability

Principal Engineer – Automotive Damageability | Circa £75,500+ excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid

Thatcham Research is looking for a Principal Engineer – Automotive Damageability to serve as our technical authority in vehicle damage performance risk and insurance-related vehicle assessment. In this strategic role,
you’ll lead the development of methodologies that help us understand and quantify how vehicles perform in real-world low speed damage events
, and what this means for vehicle insurability and customer outcomes. Through innovative research, you’ll identify the risk affecting factors that influence damage frequency and severity
, translating complex technical evidence into industry guidance and helping vehicle manufacturers and motor insurers make informed decisions that improve vehicle design, and total cost of ownership.

• Lead Thatcham Research’s approach to understanding, assessing and quantifying vehicle damage risk.
• Define the metrics and assessment frameworks needed to evaluate vehicle damage performance consistently.
• Translate vehicle damage-risk insights into insurance implications, including damage likelihood and extent.
• Act as Thatcham Research’s external technical authority in this field, representing the organisation with insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, industry bodies, working groups and standards organisations.
• Collaborate with specialists across safety, security, repair, data, operations, product and marketing.
• Support the development of scalable damageability assessment methods, risk insights, analytical models and industry services.

• Significant experience in vehicle engineering, crash performance, body structure engineering, insurance engineering or vehicle damage assessment.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle structures, materials, mechanical and electromechanical systems, including emerging technologies and vehicle architectures.
• Proven ability to lead technically complex research projects and establish robust, evidence-based approaches.
• Ability to communicate complex engineering findings clearly to technical, insurance and non-technical audiences.
• Credibility and confidence when engaging with senior technical and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret CAD data, technical drawings, wiring diagrams and engineering documentation.
• Awareness of how vehicle damage characteristics influence downstream repair and insurance outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• A degree or equivalent professional experience in engineering or another relevant discipline.

Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don't apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities.

• 10% non-contributory pension
• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays
• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)
• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)
• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure
• Money health’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
• Reward & Recognition Programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Sports & Social club
• Payroll charitable giving
• Subsidised on-site restaurant
• Free on-site parking

Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45 (Talk to us about flexible working if this doesn’t quite suit you – we take work-life balance seriously!)

We understand the benefits of remote and in-person collaboration and therefore have a hybrid working model – you’ll be expected to work from our office in Thatcham at least two days per week.

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an…