Project Engineer in Rotherham

Do you have an appetite for knowledge and a talent for picking up new skills? Do you thrive on a mix of hands‑on experimental work and in‑depth data analysis? We're looking for a fast‑learning individual with strong transferable research skills to join our Subtractive Process team at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), as a Project Engineer. You will be instrumental in the assessment, optimisation, and application of subtractive process solutions and associated technology. Your role will be data focussed, including data capture, processing, analysing, and reporting on data that is generated through subtractive processes. You will integrate the latest manufacturing technologies, both digital and physical, into existing manufacturing systems and use their data for continuous process improvement. You’ll showcase groundbreaking technologies through manufacturing demonstration components. Collaboration is key; you’ll work closely with partners, help scope new projects, and deliver complex initiatives, with support from experienced staff members, ensuring you have the mentorship you need to succeed. Through interactions with our partners, you’ll contribute to crafting the direction of your specific research area. While a strong background in engineering or relevant qualifications is a plus, we’re particularly keen to hear from individuals who are excellent at managing their time, adhere to quality and project management procedures, and are excited by a challenge. This role involves occasional travel for on‑site investigations or meetings, within the UK, but with occasional international trips. If you’re ready to dive into exciting projects and develop the future of innovative manufacturing, we encourage you to apply!

Main duties and responsibilities

• Technically deliver high quality research and machining projects in the Machining Group.
• Research, analyse, collate and edit data and techniques for reports and other documents to summarise main findings and conclusions of tests and experiments.
• Analyse and record data to aid the development of future research methodologies and produce useful findings for other industrial partners, funders, policy makers and practitioners.
• Implement and coordinate the preparation of materials (work piece, tooling, fixtures, etc.) and set up equipment for experiments that have been developed specifically to meet research objectives and find solutions.
• Develop skills through external or on‑the‑job training, suitable to accomplish the engineering and project tasks required.
• Present data results to audiences both inside and outside the organisation at all levels in a professional and concise manner.
• Plan and carry out tasks and responsibilities over the short‑medium term, with an awareness of longer term issues to meet the research objectives set in a project.
• Continuously supervise and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments.
• Produce detailed and accurate project documentation such as statements of work, experiment methodology and quality gate sheets.
• Support planning for short‑term projects in their own area, or contribute to the planning of the group.
• Plan several months in advance to meet landmarks for AMRC project reports, industrial partner timelines and to support preparation for presentations to internal and external collaborators.
• Working alongside the Project Management team to plan and order appropriate tooling, materials and hardware ahead of project requirements.
• Work alongside the Machining Shop Floor staff to enable smooth transitions of project deliveries and machining demonstrations.
• Update Project Manager and Technical Line Manager with progress reports and any raised customer or partner concerns.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

• Educational Background – STEM degree or equivalent experience demonstrating a robust understanding of scientific principles and problem‑solving (Essential, assessed at Application).
• Adaptability & Problem‑Solving – Ability to creatively analyse and solve problems, considering both immediate and long‑term implications and effectively planning, monitoring and revising your approach as circumstances change (Essential, assessed at Application).
• Communication & Collaboration – Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences; courteous, positive and supportive in interactions, comfortable working in both small and large teams (Essential, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Initiative & Learning – Genuine desire to embrace on‑the‑job technical guidance and training opportunities to expand your knowledge and capabilities (Essential, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Resourcefulness – Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress your own work activities with appropriate support (Essential, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Strategic Thinking – Ability to consider how a research project feeds into a large programme of projects (Essential, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Data Experience – Experience in data capture, processing, analysing and presenting (Essential, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Communication Exposure – Experience in writing reports, delivering presentations and communicating effectively with staff at all levels (Essential, assessed at Interview).
• Experimental Work – Experience in performing any type of practical experimental work (Essential, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Defence Openness – Willingness to attain BPSS clearance and work on defence related projects (Essential, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Technical Knowledge – Familiarity with CAD/CAM software and/or NC machining hardware and/or machining processes (Desirable, assessed at Application/Interview).
• Software Integration – Experience in integrating software packages together (Desirable, assessed at Application/Interview).

Compensation and Benefits

• Grade: 6
• Salary: £32,080 – £36,636 per annum, with potential to progress to £39,906 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution.
• Work arrangement: Full‑time, open‑ended – hybrid and flexible options considered.
• Benefits include competitive annual leave entitlement, pension scheme, flexible working, commitment to development, retail discounts, staff networks, recognition awards, and family‑friendly policies.
• We are a Disability Confident Employer.

For informal enquiries about this job contact Richard Bonnell, Innovation Fellow: r.bonnell@sheffield.ac.uk.