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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cutting-edge defence engineering projects and mentor junior engineers.
- Company: Join a leading R&D facility with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous pension contributions.
- Other info: Great opportunities for professional growth and a focus on wellbeing and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while shaping your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or related field; experience in complex engineering within defence or aerospace.
The predicted salary is between 56641 - 70929 £ per year.
Location: Bristol, UK
Salary: £56,641 - £70,929 DOE + Benefits
Security Clearance: Eligibility for UK Security Clearance required
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
About the Role
NCC is seeking an experienced Principal Research Engineer to provide senior technical leadership within its Defence portfolio. The role spans delivery of complex, cutting-edge research and development, addressing a diverse range of highly technical challenges with accountability for technical outcomes across the full engineering lifecycle. Operating as a senior technical authority and trusted advisor, you will shape engineering strategy, provide technical assurance, and support programmes spanning all defence domains, including air, land, maritime, space and digital. The role demands strong professional judgement, a high degree of autonomy, and the ability to integrate multidisciplinary engineering activity within highly regulated, safety and security critical environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide senior technical leadership across complex, multi-disciplinary defence engineering programmes, taking accountability for technical direction, coherence, and quality of outputs.
- Operate as a technical authority across the full engineering lifecycle, including early concept development, trade studies, requirements flow-down, detailed design, verification, validation, and certification activities.
- Contribute to defence-related innovation, ensuring alignment with UK strategic priorities and secure technology development.
- Collaborate with industry partners, government stakeholders, and academia to accelerate technology readiness and industrial adoption.
- Review, challenge, and assure engineering data packs, design substantiation, test evidence, and technical documentation.
- Mentor junior engineers and researchers, fostering technical excellence and collaborative growth.
- Represent NCC credibly as a Principal Research Engineer within defence and aerospace forums, forming part of the organisation’s technical leadership community.
- Uphold stringent security, export control, and information assurance requirements across all activities.
What are we looking for?
- Degree (or Higher qualification) in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
- Experience delivering complex engineering work within defence, aerospace, or similarly regulated industrial sectors.
- UK National with eligibility to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC).
- Strong understanding and practical application of systems engineering principles, including requirements management, trade studies, interface definition, and design assurance.
- Strong understanding of composite materials, their design, processing, and performance characteristics.
- Proven capability in engaging and influencing senior technical and non-technical stakeholders, including customers and programme leadership.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and project leadership skills.
Desirable but Non-essential Attributes
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards it.
- Background in defence programmes.
- Experience in thermal protection systems and high temperature materials.
- Understanding of 3D textile technologies such as weaving, braiding, or embroidery for composite applications.
- Experience working across industry and with government bodies.
- Knowledge of digital design tools, simulation software, and automated manufacturing systems.
- Aware of emerging defence technologies, digital engineering, or advanced manufacturing approaches.
What do we offer in return?
Hybrid and flexible working as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.
Closing date for applications 23:59 Sunday 24th May 2026 - If you are interested please don't wait for the closing date to apply as we retain the right to close applications early depending on the quality and volume of candidates. We see your future in ours. Apply now.
Principal Research Engineer – Defence in Bristol employer: National Composites Centre
Contact Detail:
National Composites Centre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Research Engineer – Defence in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the defence sector on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and recent advancements in defence technology. We want you to shine when discussing your expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've led projects or mentored others. This is key for a Principal Research Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Research Engineer – Defence in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Research Engineer role. Highlight your experience in defence and engineering, focusing on relevant projects and skills that match the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your technical leadership and how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your understanding of systems engineering principles and composite materials. We want to see how you can apply these skills in real-world scenarios, so be specific!
Apply Early!: We encourage you to apply through our website as soon as possible. The closing date is just a formality; we might close applications early if we find the right candidates, so don’t wait!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Composites Centre
✨Know Your Engineering Fundamentals
Brush up on your systems engineering principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past projects. This role demands a strong understanding of requirements management and design assurance, so be prepared to give specific examples.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Research Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary teams. Think of instances where you've taken charge, mentored others, or influenced stakeholders, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Defence Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in defence and aerospace. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to innovation and align with UK strategic priorities, as this will show your commitment to the field.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect in-depth technical questions related to composite materials and their applications. Review your knowledge on thermal protection systems and 3D textile technologies, as these could come up during the interview. Being well-versed will help you stand out.