Trials & Innovation Engineer

TRL is a world-leading provider of software and services for the transport and mobility sectors. We are on a mission to create cleaner, more efficient, and universally accessible transportation. We believe that safe, reliable transport should be a right for everyone, regardless of their background. TRL is a diverse and inclusive community of passionate individuals committed to changing the way the world moves. We know that true innovation thrives in an environment where every voice is heard and respected. That's why we offer a diverse and inclusive workplace and flexible working arrangements from day one, ensuring that you can balance your work and life seamlessly, whether through working part-time, flexible hours, hybrid working or job share.

Our comprehensive benefits package, competitive salary, 25 days' annual leave, matched pension, life assurance cover, group income protection, healthcare cash back scheme, support for professional memberships and study (and more) is designed to help you thrive personally and professionally.

About the Role

We are looking for 2 Trials and Innovation Engineers to join the Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL), one of the UK's foremost connected and autonomous vehicle testbeds, operating across the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Working closely with TRL's Chief Technologist, you will play a central role in advancing the technical capabilities of the SMLL and in delivering rigorous, evidence-based evaluation of smart mobility technologies in real-world urban environments. This is a rare opportunity to conduct applied research at the intersection of transport engineering, data science, and emerging mobility technologies embedded within an internationally recognised research organisation, and operating at the heart of one of the UK's flagship intelligent transport testbeds.

You will be the internal technical lead for the design, set-up, operation, monitoring, and performance assessment of evaluation and technical trials, working closely with the SMLL trials teams to ensure that trial programmes are executed to the highest standards of scientific rigour and operational safety. From time to time, you may also be called upon to contribute to wider TRL projects aligned with your expertise. The positions are based at the SMLL facility in Woolwich, London, and we welcome flexible and hybrid working arrangements. You will be based at Woolwich for around 2-3 days per week (during busy periods this may increase depending on business requirements so some flexibility is required).

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the Chief Technologist to develop the technical capabilities of the Smart Mobility Living Lab, including contributing to the design and continuous improvement of its sensing, communications, data infrastructure, and evaluation frameworks.
• Act as the primary internal technical point of contact for smart mobility trials taking ownership of trial set‑up, operational readiness, live monitoring, and post‑trial performance evaluation.
• Collaborate with the SMLL trials teams to ensure that connected and automated mobility trials are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with agreed protocols, data management plans, and regulatory requirements.
• Design and implement data collection, processing, and analysis pipelines to support quantitative and qualitative evaluation of trial outcomes, producing high‑quality technical reports and research outputs.
• Contribute to the development of the SMLL's research portfolio, including supporting bid development, stakeholder engagement, and the dissemination of findings through academic publications and industry forums.
• Provide technical support to other TRL business projects as required, applying relevant expertise across the broader transport research and technology portfolio.

Skills and Experience

• A Degree or Master's Degree in a relevant subject (but not limited to) transport engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, data science, robotics or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable experience in experimental design and the rigorous evaluation of technical systems in real-world or semi-controlled environments.
• Strong analytical and data science skills, including proficiency in Python or equivalent, and experience with data collection, processing, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear technical documentation and present findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary project teams and to manage competing priorities in a dynamic research environment.
• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline, including (but not limited to) transport engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, data science, robotics, or a closely related field. Candidates who are near completion of their doctorate will be considered.
• Experience working with connected and/or automated vehicle systems, intelligent transport systems (ITS), or urban mobility technologies.
• Familiarity with sensing and communications technologies relevant to smart mobility (e.g. GNSS, LiDAR, V2X, 5G/C-V2X, RSU/OBU systems).
• Experience with real-time data platforms, edge computing, or cloud-based data infrastructure (e.g. Azure, AKS).
• Knowledge of UK and European ITS standards and the regulatory landscape for connected and automated mobility trials.
• Experience contributing to funded research projects and/or a track record of academic publication.

If you are ready to bring your research skills and technical curiosity to one of the UK's most exciting smart mobility programmes and to see your work applied directly to the streets of London we encourage you to apply today.