At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in cutting-edge research and innovation for automation in the energy sector.
- Company: Join Centrica's Energised Futures, a hub for science and innovation.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, flexible hybrid working, and competitive benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and diversity support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in machine learning or related fields; strong programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Role
R&I Manager (Automation) – part of Centrica’s Energised Futures, the in‑house science, research and innovation incubator.
The role leads and mentors a team of research professionals, oversees highly technical projects, and owns the strategy and roadmap for the automation theme.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of research engineers.
- Ensure reliable delivery of high‑quality research and innovation outputs.
- Own the Energised Futures’ strategy around the automation pillar.
- Collaborate and engage with stakeholders across Centrica, the energy industry, startups and academia.
- Support the wider business to adopt and deploy outputs to maximise impact.
- Monitor and engage with industry and academia through conferences and journals.
- Help shape the team and its processes, contributing to the broader roadmap for the organisation and industry.
- Ideal Candidate – Key Skills and Experience
- 5+ years designing complex statistical algorithms or machine learning models: Ph D plus 2+ years or master’s degree plus 4+ years of research or equivalent industry experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, or a related field.
- Experience with a spectrum of libraries, frameworks and services such as Tensor Flow or Py Torch, AWS Bedrock, MLFlow or Sage Maker, Lang Graph or MCP for AI orchestration.
- Strong programming skills in Python (bonus: C++, Scala, Rust).
- Practical experience implementing and deploying solutions for supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning problems.
- Strong mathematical and analytical mindset.
- Energy‑industry knowledge strongly preferred (smart energy technologies, energy management, connectivity, markets, trading techniques, regulatory constraints).
- Behaviours and Competences
- Adaptable growth mindset – curiosity and a desire to learn and develop beyond current expertise.
- Proactive, creative and collaborative problem‑solving in ambiguous, uncertain environments.
- Strong sense of ownership, initiative and accountability for work and the wider team.
- Interpersonal skills for effective cross‑functional teamwork.
- Technical communication – ability to discuss and explain complex concepts such as machine learning, energy systems, hardware control, and Io T devices.
- Ethical integrity – uphold high ethical standards, transparency and openness in all research and innovation activities.
What We Offer
- Attractive salary and compensation package.
- Highly competitive additional benefits (varies by UK or Belgium base).
- Flexible hybrid working pattern – two days in office, overall flexibility.
- Opportunity to work with a high‑calibre, diverse team and have a high impact.
- Support for diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, including a robust carers policy.
- Location & Travel
Based in London, with a future London‑centred team. Ability to travel between London and Antwerp is expected.
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Research & Innovation Manager (Automation) in Windsor employer: Centrica Plc
Centrica plc is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As an Air Source Heat Pump Engineer in Windsor, you will enjoy competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for skill development in a dynamic and innovative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research & Innovation Manager (Automation) in Windsor
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Centrica Plc.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Centrica Plc.
We think you need these skills to ace Research & Innovation Manager (Automation) in Windsor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Centrica Plc that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Centrica Plc and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica Plc
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Centrica Plc, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Centrica Plc that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Centrica Plc, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
