Senior Vehicle Security Engineer

Senior Vehicle Security Engineer | Circa £62,100 + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid

Internal

Job title:

Senior Insurability Engineer (Security)

At Thatcham Research, we help shape the future of vehicle security through independent, evidence‑based insight. As vehicles become increasingly connected, software enabled and technologically complex, protecting them against theft and security threats has never been more important.

We’re looking for a Senior Vehicle Security Engineer to play a leading role in advancing our vehicle security research and assessment capability. This is a senior technical position where you’ll combine deep engineering expertise with forward‑thinking research to influence insurers, manufacturers and wider industry stakeholders, helping improve real‑world vehicle security and insurance outcomes. You’ll be working alongside our Vehicle Security and Technology experts with lots of opportunities to learn and develop.

• Lead and deliver technical research that advances vehicle security and theft prevention insight
• Identify and analyse emerging vehicle theft trends using data‑driven and investigative methods
• Research new vehicle technologies, security systems, vulnerabilities and attack vectors, translating findings into clear, usable risk attributes
• Develop, enhance and govern vehicle security assessment and testing protocols, ensuring they remain robust, relevant and commercially valuable
• Work closely with colleagues across insurability, research, operations, product, data and communications teams to ensure a consistent and joined‑up approach to Automotive Risk Intelligence
• Collaborate with vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, insurers and industry bodies to share insight, guide best practice and influence future security standards
• Support and maintain strong relationships with external authorities and organisations involved in theft prevention and vehicle security
• Lead and contribute to research projects, including planning, coordination, stakeholder updates and delivery against agreed objectives
• Present technical findings to members, customers and industry audiences
• Author and contribute to technical reports and publications for external use

• Significant experience within the automotive sector
• Strong automotive engineering knowledge, with practical experience of vehicle security systems, such as electronic architectures, connected vehicle technologies, software-driven functions, or communication networks.
• Understanding of current and emerging vehicle technologies, such as in-vehicle and off-board communications, software‑defined systems or electrical architectures
• Ability to lead or deliver complex engineering or research projects, applying appropriate technologies and methodologies
• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex technical information and identify meaningful risk insights
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence presenting technical content to a range of audiences
• High levels of interpersonal and influencing skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and organisations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and Teams)

• A degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline (or equivalent professional experience)
• Knowledge of UK and EU vehicle regulations and their security or safety implications
• Experience working with insurers or an understanding of insurance processes and vehicle theft risk
• Familiarity with vehicle development processes, CAD imagery, wiring diagrams or technical drawings
• Experience leading cross‑functional projects or contributing to the development of others

• Be part of a respected organisation influencing global vehicle safety standards.
• Work on exciting projects with leading automotive brands.
• Enjoy a collaborative, forward-thinking work environment.
• Access to ongoing training and professional development to expand knowledge in specialist areas.

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