At a Glance
- Tasks: Build innovative solutions using AI coding tools in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler with a dynamic team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, health plan, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering cutting-edge projects that matter.
- Qualifications: Strong web development skills and experience with AI coding tools required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
£80,000 per annum plus £5,688 per annum car allowance, bonus and benefits.
- 12 month fixed term contract
- Hybrid working working from our Swindon head office
Our reputation as the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself.
Every day, we serve more than 22,000 customers from 34 distribution centres across the country.
Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise – we’re the unseen force that delivers.
So when we say we’re excited for what the future holds for our customers and colleagues, you can trust we’re as good as our word.
The i LAB is Smiths News' Innovation Lab, run from Enterprise Architecture.
It builds and develops innovative solutions for the business, working in 90-day cycles.
This exciting role is the Lab's builder.
You will use AI coding agents and assistants as your primary build method, so that one engineer delivers at a pace that would conventionally need a small team.
Speed with discipline is the job: every build exists to answer a question the business has asked, and ending an idea with clear evidence counts as a success.
What we can offer you
Not only do we offer free onsite parking, 4x salary life assurance and 5% match pension but you’ll also have access to:
- £5,688 per annum car allowance
- Company bonus
- Company funded Health Cash Plan – providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy
- 25 days holiday plus holiday buy scheme
- 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
- Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Health cash plan
- Private medical insurance
- Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme
About you
- Strong full‑stack web development: a modern Java Script or Type Script framework, API design, and at least one backend language such as Node. js or Python.
- Demonstrable, current use of AI coding tools to deliver working software at speed. Candidates should expect to show real examples, not describe the concept
- Hands‑on experience with large language model APIs, prompt design, retrieval‑augmented generation, structured evaluation, and ideally fine‑tuning.
- Cloud platform experience deploying, securing and costing small workloads independently.
- A track record of shipping fast. Prototypes, side projects, hackathons, start‑up or agency delivery all count as evidence.
- Plain, confident communication. Able to demonstrate and explain technical results to non‑technical colleagues.
- Degree in a relevant field or equivalent practical experience. Evidence of building matters more than certification.
Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.
A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion.
We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will.
Let’s see if we can rely on you, too.
Apply now.
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Innovation Engineer employer: Smiths News
At Smiths News, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by offering flexible part-time opportunities that fit around your lifestyle. Our supportive work culture fosters growth and development, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. With competitive pay, holiday benefits, and a contributory pension scheme, working with us in Maidstone means joining a community that prioritises your well-being and success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Engineer
✨Dive into Innovation Events
Get yourself noticed by attending innovation and R&D conferences in your area, like the local hackathons or industry networking events. These are great opportunities to connect with key players in the field and potentially uncover temporary roles at companies like Smiths News.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join online platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Slack channels focused on R&D and innovation. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and make your name known—this visibility could lead to temporary gigs or even recommendations from industry peers.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Create a digital portfolio that highlights your previous projects in R&D and innovation management. Include case studies or any innovative solutions you’ve developed—this will not only impress recruiters but make you stand out for temporary roles like the one at Smiths News.
✨Explore Flexible Opportunities on Our Platform
Make sure to check out temporary positions posted directly on our website. We often have fresh opportunities, so applying through us can give you an edge in landing roles that fit your skills in innovation and R&D management.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Side:In the world of innovation and R&D management, we want to see your creative thinking skills shining through! Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led or contributed to innovative projects in your CV. Highlight any initiatives where your ideas helped bring a product to market or improved a process.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your application. Mention situations where you've had to quickly pivot or learn new skills to tackle a problem. This shows we can rely on you to hit the ground running and contribute right away.
Be Specific About Your Impact:Use quantifiable achievements to outline the impact of your work in previous roles. Talk about specific projects you've worked on in R&D, detailing how your management improved outcomes, timeframes, or innovation metrics. Numbers speak volumes and help us understand your contributions better!
Tailor Your Application for Us:When applying, make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for Smiths News. Research what ongoing projects or innovations they are working on and align your skills and experiences with those areas. It shows your interest in the company and the role, and makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths News
✨Show Your Creative Process
For a temporary role in innovation R&D management, it's crucial to demonstrate how you approach problem-solving and creativity. Be ready to share specific projects or ideas where you've turned a concept into a tangible solution. Think about what tools or methodologies you've used—like design thinking or Agile practices—and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Innovation roles often involve the use of specific software or tools for project management and development. Make sure you're familiar with industry-standard programmes, whether that’s project management tools like Trello or Asana, or prototyping software. Brush up on these tools so you can confidently discuss how they enhance your workflow.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary position, showcasing your ability to adapt quickly is key. Be prepared to discuss examples where you’ve had to pivot or alter your approach on short notice. Employers want to know you can hit the ground running and adjust your strategies as needed.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect interviews in innovation roles to include scenario-based questions that assess how you’d handle real-life challenges. Think of hypothetical situations related to project delays or team conflicts and how you would address them. Having a couple of these in your back pocket can really demonstrate your critical thinking and leadership skills!
