At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive innovation in materials and spray technologies through hands-on R&D and product development.
- Company: Join a high-growth specialist distributor focused on sustainable infrastructure solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across the UK and Europe, offering diverse experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safer, sustainable solutions while collaborating with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience with paint systems and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth (with UK & European travel)
Hours: 08:00am-5:00pm (Monday to Friday) but the role requires flexibility to meet business needs
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 (DOE) + bonus (up to 15%)
Holidays: 22 days + bank holidays (increasing on length of service)
Are you an engineer who loves getting hands-on with materials, machines and real-world applications? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where innovation, testing and customer impact sit at the heart of what you do? If this sounds like you, a leading specialist distributor and innovation partner within the highways and infrastructure sector is looking for an R&D Engineer to join its growing product development team.
About The Company
This is a respected, high-growth business operating across the UK, Ireland and Europe, known for challenging traditional, carbon-intensive methods with safer, more sustainable alternatives. Innovation is central to everything they do, from collaborating with manufacturers and universities to supporting contractors directly on site. Their in-house R&D engineering team plays a pivotal role in shaping next-generation materials, machines and application methods.
What's the role about?
This is a genuinely hands-on R&D and product development role, not an administrative desk job. You'll work across multiple live and in-development projects, owning testing, prototyping and technical support while collaborating with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders. You can expect to be:
- Driving innovation across materials, spray technologies and specialist equipment
- Supporting clients through training, demonstrations and on-site testing
- Translating real-world feedback into product improvements and new solutions
- Working flexibly, including travel across the UK and Europe
Key Responsibilities
- Run product demonstrations and technical presentations linked to product development
- Train clients on correct application of materials and specialist spray machinery
- Attend and support on-site testing and trials
- Carry out practical testing and prototyping of new products
- Report on test results and create technical documentation
- Conduct market research and competitive product analysis
- Source potential product solutions and development partners
- Collaborate with laboratories and universities on development projects
Requirements
- Proven experience working with paint systems, spray technologies or spraying equipment
- A relevant degree (or postgraduate qualification) in industrial paints, chemicals or similar is advantageous
- Experience in industrial or contracting environments with stakeholder-facing projects (automotive, chemicals, paints, aerospace, fire safety related products)
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- A driven, energetic and proactive approach
- The ability to travel freely across the UK and Europe (full UK right to work required)
- European language skills (highly advantageous, but not essential)
Benefits
- Impact: Be at the forefront of developing safer, more sustainable infrastructure solutions
- Variety: A mix of lab work, field testing, client engagement and European collaboration
- Growth: Join a growing R&D function with scope to develop leadership and project ownership
- Reward: £45,000- £50,000 base salary plus bonus
- Exposure: Work closely with manufacturers, universities and industry specialists
Locations
R&D Engineer (industrial paints & chemicals) in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: UBT
Join a dynamic and innovative team as an R&D Engineer in Plymouth, where you'll be at the forefront of developing sustainable infrastructure solutions. With a strong emphasis on hands-on experience, employee growth opportunities, and collaboration with industry leaders, this company fosters a vibrant work culture that values creativity and impact. Enjoy competitive benefits including a generous salary, bonus potential, and the chance to travel across the UK and Europe while making a meaningful difference in the field of industrial paints and chemicals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Engineer (industrial paints & chemicals) in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨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 UBT.
✨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 UBT.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Engineer (industrial paints & chemicals) in Hampshire, Portsmouth
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 UBT 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 UBT 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 UBT
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at UBT, 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 UBT 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 UBT, 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.
