At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative R&D projects, turning ideas into working prototypes and solving technical challenges.
- Company: Join British American Tobacco, a global leader committed to creating a smokeless world.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, flexible holidays, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and supports career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in technology development and shape the future of products.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in engineering, with hands-on experience in prototyping and experimental testing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey!
British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a Research and Development Technology Engineer in Southampton. Please note that we are currently recruiting for 2 openings.
As Research and Development Technology Engineer, you will work at the front end of R&D, developing and de-risking new technologies that can feed into future New Category products. This is a hands-on technology development role focused on turning early ideas into working proof of concept devices through creative problem solving, rapid prototyping, experimental testing, physics-based analysis, and modelling. You will lead defined technology workstreams from concept through to evidence generation, helping the team understand what is technically possible before ideas move into product development.
This role directly strengthens the mechanical engineering team’s ability to identify, build and prove new technologies for future product opportunities. It creates prototypes, test evidence, models and engineering insight needed to make early technical decisions, reduce uncertainty, and shape the next generation of products. The role is not focused on final product design, production engineering or validation; it is focused on solving hard technical problems early, quickly and practically.
Reports to: Senior Mechanical Engineer
Number of Direct Reports: N/A
Core Relationships:
- Internal – Engineering, prototyping, industrial design, liquids, science, product stewardship, marketing, project management and R&D leadership.
- External – Suppliers, technology partners, prototype manufacturers and specialist test or analysis providers.
Geographic Scope: Global
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Lead defined front-end R&D technology workstreams, taking ownership of scope, technical approach, delivery plans, risks and outputs.
- Create and develop new technology concepts, proof of concept devices, prototypes, test rigs and experimental setups to explore technical feasibility.
- Apply physics, first-principles thinking, modelling and practical engineering judgement to understand behaviour and solve challenging technical problems.
- Support IP aware development by reviewing relevant prior art, identifying patent opportunities and protecting BAT confidential information.
- Plan, run and interpret experimental tests, using data to iterate designs, validate assumptions and recommend the next technical direction.
- Work with internal experts, suppliers and technology partners to access specialist capability, rapidly build learning and adopt promising new technologies.
- Communicate engineering findings clearly through technical reviews, reports, presentations and data management tools.
- Capture learning clearly so that successful technologies can be transferred into future product development projects with confidence.
What are we looking for?
Experience Required:
- Minimum 3 years’ relevant hands-on engineering experience in electro-mechanical technology development, applied R&D, product innovation, prototyping, or experimental engineering.
- Experience creating new technologies or proof of concept devices, not only maintaining, validating or incrementally improving existing products.
- Strong practical experience designing, building, modifying and troubleshooting prototypes, rigs, fixtures or experimental hardware.
- Experience planning and executing experimental tests, analysing data and using the results to make clear engineering recommendations.
- Experience applying physics, first principles calculations, modelling, or simulation to understand system behaviour and guide technical choices.
- Experience taking ownership of technical work packages or small projects, with the ability to work independently.
Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required:
- Creative, practical and structured problem solving, with the confidence to explore ambiguous technical challenges and turn ideas into working hardware.
- Strong hands-on prototyping capability, supported by CAD, drawings, workshop methods, supplier engagement, or rapid manufacturing techniques.
- Ability to use calculations, modelling, simulation, or data analysis to understand physical behaviour and support design decisions.
- Awareness of intellectual property potential and the importance of protecting confidential technical information.
- Clear communication of technical work through reviews, reports, presentations, and data led recommendations.
- Strong Microsoft Office and data management capability.
- Ability to lead technical activity with pace, collaborate across disciplines, and make pragmatic decisions when developing early-stage technologies.
Education / Professional Qualifications / Certifications Required:
- Engineering based degree / HNC level qualification or relevant technical / design / engineering experience.
What we offer you?
We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility). Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives. Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here. You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills. We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.
WHY JOIN BAT? We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions. Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture). Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here. If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.
Research and Development Technology Engineer in Southampton employer: British American Tobacco
British American Tobacco is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Southampton or London. Employees benefit from comprehensive perks, including a performance bonus and opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to a company committed to meeting global regulatory standards in the chemical compliance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research and Development Technology Engineer in Southampton
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Research and Development Technology Engineer role you’re after at British American Tobacco.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at British American Tobacco a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at British American Tobacco.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Research and Development Technology Engineer at British American Tobacco, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Research and Development Technology Engineer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Research and Development Technology Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at British American Tobacco a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to British American Tobacco specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at British American Tobacco
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with British American Tobacco, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like British American Tobacco want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
