R&D Project Engineer

Job description

R&D Project Engineer (Materials Science)

£35,000 - £40,000 Negotiable + 36 days holiday + hybrid + private healthcare + training & development opportunities

Cheshire

Certain Advantage is hiring for an R&D Project Engineer within commutable distance to Holmes Chapel.

This role is on a permanent basis and is primarily based at the manufacturing and research facilities, with hybrid options (3 days minimum in the office).

Do you have experience in R&D, within manufacturing or applied research, looking to step into a crucial role for a specialist engineering group at the forefront of battery technology, where you will lead on a range of exciting projects across diverse industries such as Motorsport and Aerospace?

Are you looking for a multi-faceted role, where you will operate across R&D, project delivery and production, within a highly successfully and rapidly evolving business, where you will have the opportunity to continually develop your skills?

You will be integral to the business, working across the laboratory and production environments to deliver innovation and continuous improvement for high-performance applications in Motorsport, Aerospace, and Defence. This is a varied and versatile role, combining technical laboratory work with project management and customer-facing support.

The Company:

We are working with a specialist engineering group and innovation hub focused on the development of high-performance battery materials. As a leader in the production of critical cell components, they partner with global universities and industry leaders to develop cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With a focus on cutting-edge engineering, they support high-growth sectors from elite automotive to aerospace and sustainable energy.

The Role:

You’ll be responsible for:

• Project Management: Planning and delivering assigned internal and external projects to agreed timelines and budgets.
• Research & Development: Conducting laboratory testing, analysis, and development of materials and processes to support NPD.
• NPI & Scale-up: Supporting the transition of laboratory developments into production-relevant processes and maintaining accurate project documentation.
• Technical Interface: Providing technical input during customer calls and meetings and presenting findings clearly to stakeholders.
• Quality & Safety: Ensuring all activities comply with Environmental, Health & Safety standards and best practices.
• Process Improvement: Developing robust test plans to ensure repeatability and technical validity of results.

The Individual:

We’re looking for people who can show:

• Education: A degree in Science or Engineering (e.g., Materials Science, Chemistry, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering). A PhD is desirable.
• Technical Experience: Industrially relevant R&D experience, ideally within a manufacturing or applied research environment.

Desirable

• Project Management: Any experience or background managing projects
• Software Skills: Proficiency with CAD design tools, particularly SolidWorks would be advantageous
• Communication: Ability to document technical work clearly and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

The Benefits:

• 36 days holiday (25 days + bank holidays + Christmas shutdown
• Private healthcare
• Ongoing training and development, and the potential for progression as the department grows
• Company events

Does this sound like your next career move? Apply today.

Working with Certain Advantage We go the extra mile to find the best people for the job. If you’re hunting for a role where you can make an impact and grow your career, we’ll work with you to find it.

We work with businesses across the UK to find the best people in Finance, Marketing, IT and Engineering.

If this job isn’t for you, head to certainadvantage.co.uk and register for job alerts and career guidance tips.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Holmes Chapel

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

01-02-2026

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