Principal Engineer

Engineering
Uk
June 19, 2025
£57 - £67 / year
Full Time
Apply Now

Job Description

Principal Engineer – WMG SME Group
Vacancy Reference: 101838-0625
Location: University of Warwick, Coventry
Department: WMG
Salary: £57,422 – £66,537 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: Wednesday 16th July 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

Please note: This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants need not reapply.

Make a Lasting Impact on UK Innovation and Manufacturing

Are you an experienced engineering leader with a passion for supporting innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? Do you want to help shape the future of UK manufacturing and supply chains?

At WMG, part of the University of Warwick, we’re looking for a Principal Engineer to join our SME Group—a collaborative team dedicated to boosting UK innovation and productivity. This is a unique opportunity to lead strategic innovation support programmes, working directly with SMEs to de-risk and accelerate new technologies and business models.

You’ll provide expert technical direction and thought leadership, ensuring impactful delivery of complex, multi-stakeholder projects. Your contribution will help drive the mission of “Making More in the UK”, strengthening long-term supply chain competitiveness.

About the Role

As Principal Engineer, you’ll:

  • Lead and manage cross-functional teams delivering SME innovation projects.
  • Provide technical leadership across a range of advanced engineering and technology transfer programmes.
  • Oversee delivery of high-impact projects on time and to specification, ensuring tangible economic outcomes for partner businesses.
  • Support strategic direction of SME programmes and contribute to policy development.
  • Act as a mentor and line manager to engineers from diverse technical disciplines.

You’ll work closely with stakeholders across academia, industry, and government, helping to translate research into real-world impact.

Informal enquiries: Contact Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes – mark.swift@warwick.ac.uk

About You

We’re seeking a results-driven leader with:

  • A good honours degree (2:1 or above) in an engineering or scientific discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification is highly desirable.
  • Substantial industrial experience, ideally in R&D, innovation management, or technology transfer.
  • Proven ability to lead and inspire multidisciplinary technical teams.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across sectors.
  • A proactive approach to complex problem-solving and project delivery.

For a detailed list of essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the Person Specification section in the full job description.

About WMG at Warwick

WMG is one of the UK’s most respected engineering, innovation, and applied research centres. With over 800 staff, we deliver impactful collaborations with industry through cutting-edge research and education. Our programmes span manufacturing, supply chain innovation, automotive, aerospace, and digital technologies.

  • We support nearly 3,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and apprenticeship programmes.
  • We are proud holders of an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognizing our commitment to gender equality.
  • We are part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, delivering applied research that directly benefits UK industry.

 

About the University of Warwick

The University of Warwick is a global research leader, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2024). With a reputation for bold thinking and cross-sector collaboration, we are committed to tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.

92% of our research has been rated ‘world-leading or internationally excellent’ in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the online application form by the closing date:
Wednesday 16th July 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

You will be required to upload the following documents:

  • CV – detailing your employment history, education, and relevant achievements.
  • Cover Letter – outlining your motivations for applying and how your experience meets the essential and desirable criteria.

Please note: Applications cannot be submitted after the deadline, even if you begin the form before 23:55. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute issues.

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not currently have the right to work in the UK or require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, please refer to the University’s guidance on obtaining the Right to Work in the UK.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities. We value the creativity and innovation that diversity brings to our workplace.

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