At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in cutting-edge automation research and innovation projects.
- Company: Join Centrica, a fast-growing energy technology company with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, competitive benefits, and flexible hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment with a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while collaborating with top professionals.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in data science or machine learning; adaptable candidates encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
R&I Manager (Automation)
Lead and mentor a team of research professionals in the Automation theme of Energised Futures, Centrica’s in‑house science, research and innovation incubator.
Oversee highly technical projects and own the strategy and roadmap for the automation pillar, ensuring alignment with Centrica’s strategic objectives.
Location & Mobility
Team is based in Antwerp, Belgium, with a London‑centred team under development. Preference for candidates based in or around London; travel between locations is expected.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of research engineers.
- Ensure reliable delivery of high‑quality research and innovation outputs.
- Own Energised Futures’ strategy around the automation pillar.
- Collaborate and engage with stakeholders across Centrica, the energy industry, startups, and academia.
- Support the wider business to adopt and deploy our outputs to maximise impact.
- Monitor and engage with industry and academia through conferences and journals.
- Ideal Candidate
An adaptable, experienced data scientist or machine learning expert who tackles complex challenges and pushes the state of the art for automation in the energy sector.
Candidates who lack some listed qualifications but show strong potential are also encouraged to apply.
- Key Skills & Experience
- 5+ years of experience designing complex statistical algorithms or machine learning models (Ph D + 2 years or master’s + 4 years of research/industry experience).
- Proficiency with ML libraries (Tensor Flow, Py Torch), model servers (AWS Bedrock), MLOps (MLflow, Sage Maker), and AI orchestration (Lang Graph, MCP libraries).
- Strong programming skills, especially in Python (additional languages such as C++, Scala, Rust are bonuses).
- Experience implementing and deploying (deep) supervised/unsupervised/reinforcement learning solutions.
- Strong mathematical skills and analytical mindset.
- Energy industry knowledge preferred (smart energy technologies, energy management, connectivity challenges, markets and trading techniques, regulatory constraints).
- Behaviours & Competences
- Adaptable growth mindset – curiosity and a desire to learn beyond current expertise.
- Proactive, creative, and collaborative problem‑solving approach.
- Strong sense of ownership – initiative and accountability for work and the wider team.
- Interpersonal skills for effective cross‑functional teamwork.
- Technical communication skills to explain complex concepts (machine learning, energy systems, hardware control, Io T).
- Ethical integrity – uphold high ethical standards and transparency in all research activities.
What We Offer
- Attractive salary and compensation package.
- Highly competitive benefits tailored to UK or Belgium locations.
- Flexible hybrid working pattern with in‑office days combined with remote flexibility.
- Opportunity to work with a high‑calibre, diverse team in a fast‑growing energy technology company.
- Inclusive culture that welcomes unique backgrounds and perspectives.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Research & Innovation Manager (Automation) in Windsor employer: SwiftCruit
At Global, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you'll not only have the opportunity to influence millions through cutting-edge AI solutions but also benefit from a culture that encourages professional growth, cross-functional partnerships, and the development of reusable engineering standards. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on impactful projects, Global is the ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in data science and machine learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research & Innovation Manager (Automation) in Windsor
✨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 SwiftCruit.
✨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 SwiftCruit.
We think you need these skills to ace Research & Innovation Manager (Automation) in Windsor
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 SwiftCruit 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 SwiftCruit 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 SwiftCruit
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at SwiftCruit, 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 SwiftCruit 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 SwiftCruit, 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.
