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Advanced/Principal Research Engineer Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs)

About The Role
Location: Bristol based with Hybrid working – 2 days on site, 3 days home

NCC is a world-leading authority on composite materials research, development, and manufacturing. We work with global leaders across industries such as aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, and defence to develop cutting-edge composite solutions. As part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the NCC is at the forefront of innovation, helping businesses turn ideas into reality.

What you’ll be doing

As Principal Research Engineer you will be responsible for:
- Providing technical specialist authority and guidance on projects and technical capability both tactically and strategically.
- You’ll be revising, formulating and creating the roadmap for novel and innovative approaches and pioneer technical solutions. Foster innovation across the team, working in an inter-disciplinary way.
- Create and revise technical documents and advocate for publishing technical content.
- Establish and develop effective partnerships internally and externally with industry partners.
- Represent NCC in relevant technical forums and champion our technical strategy.
What we’re looking for
- Ceramics - You have experience working with ceramic materials and have knowledge of their properties, benefits and limitations.
- Composites - You understand the raw materials, constituent parts and operational characteristics of the various types of CMCs (Ox-Ox, Sic-SiC, C-SiC and C-C etc). With practice of the considerable efforts involved in the various manufacturing routes.
- Fundamental understanding of UHTCMC processing and thermo-ablative characterisation.
- You possess an educational background in chemistry with experience of processes such as chemical vapour deposition or infiltration.
- A strong knowledge of the challenges faced in novel applications CMCs and have a passion for delivering new technology.
- Industrial focus - You've put your knowledge to the test or have worked in R&D within industry - proven experience in a practical setting, solving real-world problems with real-world solutions.
- Novel sectors - Ideally, you'll have knowledge and experience of working within a relevant sector where materials must withstand harsh environments (radiation degradation, high temperatures, space environment), forcing engineers to think outside the box in terms of materials selection. Space, Nuclear, Aerospace, Defence etc.
What do we offer in return?

Hybrid and flexible working as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.

We see your future in ours. Apply now.

Closing date for applications Sunday 4^th January 2026
Notes/Brief for Recruitment Team:
About The Company
NCC is a world-leading innovation organisation that turns cutting-edge research and technology into industrial impact. We bridge the gap between academia and industry, helping companies of all sizes to capitalise on cutting-edge innovation to deliver more. We do this at every stage of their journey from the earliest concept to end-of-life.

The future of composites manufacturing relies on NCC, and we rely on the right individuals to make it happen, whether they’re engineers or not!

Why NCC?

We see our success in yours. Not sure you meet all the requirements? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs if they think they may not meet every qualification, when in fact they often do. At NCC we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We ensure that all hiring decisions are made without regard to age, race, national origin, sex, disability, gender, gender identity, religion, or any other protected characteristics, and will treat all applications with the strictest confidence. We’re always open to hearing how we can support flexible working in different ways, including part-time work. Please don’t be afraid to ask about what we can do to support your needs. All requests will be carefully and fairly considered. We wish you every success in your job search.

Diverse challenges – NCC isn’t just about aerospace. We’re working with over 16 sectors and a variety of customers, from private ventures to the global tier 1 companies, providing variety to your experience.

Innovation – a world-leading research and development centre, the work we do brings novel and innovative solutions to industry, with the future firmly in mind. So we need innovating thinking not just in Engineering, but across all support functions.

Development in composites, and you – if the scope of exciting work isn’t enough to sway you, our ethos of continued learning and development and flexible working patterns will.

We look forward to hearing from you. #fulltime