The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking a talented and motivated Higher Project Engineer to join our Engineering Operations Group.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer to lead the technical delivery of complex engineering products, systems and technology developments that support NPL's scientific and commercial objectives. Working within multidisciplinary teams, you will apply systems engineering principles and product development methodologies to transform innovative scientific concepts into practical engineering solutions.
You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, project managers, manufacturing teams and external partners to develop products and capabilities that deliver measurable impact for NPL and its stakeholders. The role requires a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle, systems engineering practices and effective stakeholder engagement, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading the technical delivery of engineering projects and product developments across the full lifecycle.
- Applying systems engineering principles to requirements capture, design development, verification and validation activities.
- Supporting the definition and development of product roadmaps, technical strategies and delivery plans.
- Working closely with scientific and operational stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into engineering solutions.
- Producing and maintaining technical documentation including:
- System requirements and specifications
- Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs)
- Design documentation
- Verification and validation plans
- Test, commissioning and acceptance documentation
- Coordinating multidisciplinary engineering activities across design, manufacture, integration and test functions.
- Supporting design reviews, technical decision-making and risk management activities.
- Managing technical interfaces between engineering disciplines, suppliers and customers.
- Monitoring technical performance, quality, schedule and delivery risks.
- Contributing to bids, proposals and business development activities.
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across engineering delivery and project execution.
- Building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
About You
You are a capable and collaborative engineer with experience delivering engineering products or systems within a technically challenging environment.
You enjoy working across multiple disciplines and can effectively balance technical requirements, stakeholder expectations and project objectives. You have a structured approach to problem solving and are comfortable engaging with scientists, engineers, project managers and suppliers to achieve successful outcomes.
You are passionate about delivering high-quality engineering solutions and are looking to further develop your leadership, systems engineering and product management capabilities.
What You Can Bring to the Role
Essential
- Degree-qualified in Engineering, Physics or a related technical discipline.
- Demonstrable experience delivering engineering projects, products or systems within a complex technical environment.
- Good understanding of systems engineering practices, including:
- Requirements management
- System design and integration
- Verification and validation
- Technical risk management
- Configuration control
- Experience supporting products through development, integration, testing and deployment.
- Experience managing technical stakeholders and balancing differing priorities.
- Ability to develop technical specifications and engineering documentation.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary project teams.
Desirable
- Experience in scientific instrumentation, metrology, automation, advanced manufacturing or precision engineering.
- Knowledge of Systems Engineering lifecycle processes.
- Experience using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
- Familiarity with product management concepts and product lifecycle governance.
- Experience supporting customer-facing projects or externally funded programmes.
- Working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through the Engineering Council.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.