At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive innovative projects in automotive technology and collaborate with experts across various departments.
- Company: Lear Corporation, a global leader in automotive technology focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, learning opportunities, and meaningful work that makes a difference.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that shapes the future of automotive experiences with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Background in manufacturing innovation and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Coventry
Driving the future of automotive. We’re Lear For You.
Company Overview
Lear, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, enables superior in-vehicle experiences for consumers around the world. Our diverse team of more than 165,000 talented employees in 37 countries is driven by a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. Lear is Making every drive better™ by providing the technology for safer, smarter, and more comfortable journeys. Lear, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, serves every major automaker in the world and ranks #186 on the Fortune 500.
Position overview
The Innovation Project Engineer will drive activities within Lear’s regional Innovation Hub under the umbrella of the companies EU & Africa Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering team. This is a unique opportunity for a Project Engineer to work closely with Subject Matter Experts from Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality and IT departments to drive the concept and lead the delivery of applied technologies / Industry 4.0 initiatives into Lear’s regional operation. The ideal candidate will have a background in manufacturing innovation through technology and processes, with a focus on integrating and deploying advanced technologies to drive efficiency, quality, and productivity in manufacturing operations. The Innovation Project Engineer is responsible for the ideation, concept to deployment of innovative solutions and technologies which bring productivity to different processes within the company. This is a hands‑on, lab‑based position, ideal for someone who loves practical problem‑solving, experimentation, and engineering craftsmanship.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Management: Lead the planning, execution, and completion of Innovation projects across the EMEA region, ensuring they meet timelines, budgets, and technical requirements; manage project resources, including personnel, equipment, and budget, to maximize efficiency and effectiveness; work closely with cross‑functional teams, such as operations, IT and production, to ensure the smooth transition of products from development to implementation.
- Innovation and Product Development: Ensure that Innovation initiatives align with operation needs and the company’s strategic goals; collaborate with product development teams to create prototypes, run proof of concepts, and optimise products before scaling across business; identify and assess emerging technologies (e.g., AI, robotics, IoT, AR/VR) that could be deployed on projects; ensure all solutions comply with company and industry standards, regulations, and security protocols including proper documentation and intellectual property protection; encourage continuous learning and stay updated with the latest technological advancements.
- Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate with regional departments to ensure that Innovation efforts are aligned with business needs and market demand; communicate the progress, challenges, and outcomes of Innovation projects to senior management, providing regular updates and recommendations for future actions; build and manage relationships with external partners, including universities, research institutions, and suppliers, to foster collaboration and access new technologies or knowledge.
Key skills and Qualifications
- Confidence in presenting and interfacing with senior stakeholders from multi‑cultural backgrounds and functional disciplines.
- Willingness and flexibility to travel within the role.
- Analytical and critical thinking: Strong analytical skills to understand business processes and requirements.
- Lean thinker: understands the benefits of standardisation and can explain clearly when challenged.
- Business Acumen – understands the business impact of innovation initiatives. Aligns efforts with the strategic goals.
- Exposure of working within the manufacturing sector from various industries.
- Strong project management skills, with experience leading complex research projects from concept to completion.
- Broad operational / practical experience working within at least one of the following disciplines: Robotics and Automation, Data and Digitalisation, Digital Twin, AI.
- Ability to apply both academic and practical thinking to real‑world tech challenges.
- Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
- Fluency in English language both written and verbal.
- Ideally a Master’s in a related engineering / technical field although Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience may be considered.
Why Lear
We offer a fantastic place to work, opportunity to grow and being part of a company who places its people first.
What We Offer
- Competitive Salary
- Access to Learning and development opportunities
- Opportunities to give back to the community
- Meaningful work that makes a difference in the world
Lear Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workplace. Applicants must submit their resumes for consideration using our applicant tracking system. Due to the high volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies, or similar, will not be paid a fee and will become the property of Lear Corporation.
Innovation Project Engineer in Coventry employer: Lear
At Lear Corporation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions collaboration, inclusion, and respect within our teams. As a Cost Controlling Manager, you will be part of a dynamic work culture that values innovation and excellence, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the automotive industry. Located in a prestigious area, we provide a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact our financial strategies and success, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Project Engineer in Coventry
✨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 Lear.
✨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 Lear.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Project Engineer in Coventry
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 Lear 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 Lear 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 Lear
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Lear, 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 Lear 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 Lear, 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.
