Research And Development Engineer

Job description

R&D Engineer – Special Purpose Machinery

Location: Crawley, West Sussex

Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits

Are you a bright and ambitious engineer looking to develop innovative technologies within the field of special purpose machinery?

Our client, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance industrial equipment, is seeking an R&D Engineer to join their growing research and development team.

You’ll work on the design, testing and refinement of complex electromechanical systems — combining analytical thinking with hands-on experimentation to drive product innovation and reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and develop new and existing special purpose machinery and related systems.
• Plan and perform structured experiments to assess technical performance and reliability.
• Conduct customer application testing and provide detailed technical feedback.
• Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records and reports.
• Analyse and present data clearly to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Support application development and troubleshooting in collaboration with design, sales and service teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of R&D processes and laboratory procedures.
• Travel within the UK and internationally as required for testing or customer support.

Essential Qualifications / Skills

• MEng (2:1 or above, 1st preferred) in Mechanical, MChem or MPhys - with a MINIMUM of 3 years post graduation experience
• Strong academic background, including A-level Maths and Physics.
• Excellent understanding of mechanical principles and their practical application.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word (intermediate level minimum).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and reporting skills.
• Accurate, meticulous, and able to work both independently and within a team.
• Good practical knowledge of engineering measurement tools (e.g. Micrometers, verniers, sensors).
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Full UK manual driving licence.
• Able and willing to travel internationally.

Beneficial Skills

• Electrical qualifications or practical electrical experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD or similar CAD software.
• Familiarity with general manufacturing principles, engineering standards, and health & safety awareness.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary
• Pension (5%) and life assurance after probation
• Private healthcare and enhanced pension (8%) after qualifying period
• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service
• Opportunities for professional development and progression
• A dynamic and collaborative R&D environment working with cutting-edge technology

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Crawley

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

25-01-2026

Profession type

Scientific Services

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English