Lead Engineer - Energy Systems Lab in Bristol

Are you an experienced engineer, motivated to transform the development of future transport solutions? IAAPS is seeking a Lead Engineer to accelerate our mission to solve the industry’s biggest challenges. This is a senior role within our team, positioning IAAPS as a leading engineering and technology consultancy.

About IAAPS: As a world‑leading R&I centre that supports the wider transport and energy sectors in the transition to net zero, we have great ambitions – namely, to solve the industry’s biggest challenges by creating the technologies, tools and systems needed to accelerate the move to clean, affordable and sustainable mobility. We are a commercial subsidiary of the University of Bath, and our world‑class facility based at the Bristol & Bath Science Park ranks among the top three independent institutions of its type in the world. With a team in place that brings together specialists from across industry and academia and a range of highly prestigious commercial partners within the automotive, industrial, aerospace, and marine sectors, IAAPS is now firmly moving into a scale‑up phase. The key to our success? Put simply, it’s our people. We are a dynamic SME operating at the forefront of future low‑carbon mobility, therefore everyone’s contribution matters and makes a real difference to what we achieve together.

The Opportunity: The Lead Engineer will be responsible for the specification and installation, together with the day‑to‑day technical leadership and operational management, of the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL). This facility underpins research and industrial collaboration in:

• AC and hybrid AC/DC energy systems
• Superconducting and cryogenic power systems
• Future expansion into advanced power electronics, motor drives and charging systems

The postholder will ensure the ESL functions as a world‑leading research and industrial engagement environment, supporting IAAPS’s strategic mission in clean propulsion, smart energy networks, and next‑generation electrification.

Responsibilities:

• Provide day‑to‑day and long‑term leadership for the ESL, setting technical direction and ensuring operational excellence.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, workflows, usage policies, and engineering standards.
• Support the scheduling of research, testing and industrial projects, balancing academic and commercial priorities.
• Accountable to ensure maintenance regimes, calibration schedules, lifecycle management and capital upgrade planning.
• Lead development, configuration, and operation of AC grid emulators, AC network models, and smart‑grid control platforms.
• Support research into flexibility services, resilience, distribution networks, and real‑time energy system modelling.
• Manage hybrid AC/DC microgrid infrastructure, including high‑power converters, bus architectures, and real‑time PHIL systems.
• Oversee cryogenic test infrastructure including cryogenic systems, superconducting device test capability, and safety systems.
• Support engineering & research activities involving SFCLs, cryogenic DC breakers and superconducting electric machines.
• Lead operation and integration of power‑electronics test stands, SiC/GaN converter rigs, DC/DC converter stations, and inverter testbeds.
• Provide specialist engineering expertise to enable research into energy networks, smart grids, flexibility, and distributed energy systems.
• Support engineering & academic collaboration, designing and delivering experiments, research, innovation and industrial projects.
• Assist in project proposal development, industry engagement, and collaborative R&D programmes.
• Co‑ordinate scheduling of technicians and engineering resources to support ESL activities and facility maintenance.
• Co‑ordinate with the Head of Q&H&S to ensure compliance with HV electrical safety regulations, cryogenic safety standards, and ISO‑certified IAAPS management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, 14001, 45001).
• Conduct risk assessments, method statements, hazard identification and system‑level safety audits.
• Develop training materials, induction sessions and competency frameworks for laboratory users.
• Mentor early‑career engineers and technical staff.
• Contribute to long‑term technology road mapping for IAAPS energy systems capability.
• Co‑ordinate specification of future equipment, upgrades and facility expansions with senior academics and IAAPS management.
• Support commercial engagement, consultancy and industrial project delivery.

What we’re looking for:

• Degree or very significant equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Energy Engineering, Power Electronics or a related discipline.
• You may have a higher degree including research publications in your specialist field(s).
• Significant experience in AC power systems, grid emulation, power electronics or HV test environments.
• High‑voltage laboratory operation.
• Cryogenic or superconducting device handling.
• Demonstrable project leadership experience in R&D or industrial test environments.
• Strong competencies in test automation, instrumentation, and data acquisition.
• Experience working with industrial partners and external stakeholders.
• Experience of working in a high‑performing multi‑disciplinary team, operating in a matrix organisation, setting expectations, providing feedback, motivating and engaging the team to solve problems and challenges.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills; ability to adapt personal style to different audiences, influence and challenge effectively.
• Previous experience of leading the resolution of business, technical and process issues within a Project Team environment.
• Experience of working with customers to understand project and market needs and develop technical relationships.
• Ability to proactively manage competing demands and deadlines, role model and support others to adapt to change and achieve results.
• Technical Leadership – drive multidisciplinary technical programmes.
• High‑Voltage Safety Expertise – strong command of HV working practices.
• Problem Solving & Innovation – develop creative solutions in complex energy system environments.
• Collaboration & Communication – support world‑class academic and industrial engagement.
• Strategic Thinking – guide the facility’s long‑term capabilities.
• Operational Excellence – ensure high uptime, robust processes, and safe operation.

Flexible working: We are committed to supporting flexible ways of working and welcome applications from candidates seeking alternative working arrangements. This may include part‑time hours, compressed working patterns, or job‑share opportunities, where these can be accommodated alongside business needs. If you are interested in flexible working, we encourage you to outline your preferences when invited to interview. Alternatively, if you would prefer to explore this informally before applying, please get in touch with the hiring manager to discuss.

What we can offer you:

• Pension – we operate a Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme with AVIVA with a maximum employer contribution of 12%.
• 26 days of holiday in addition to statutory Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
• Private Medical Insurance through BUPA.
• Private Dental cover through BUPA.
• Group Life Assurance.
• Employee Referral Scheme.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Flexible Working opportunities.
• Help@hand, an app‑based solution that provides employees and their families with access to support services, including access to a remote GP, physiotherapy, etc.
• Employee Assistance Programme – a support helpline run by a separate organisation to IAAPS called Unum Lifeworks. It is a completely free, confidential service that includes telephone counselling 24/7 365 days a year.
• Free car parking.
• Secure bicycle parking and shower facilities.