R&D Engineer (industrial paints & chemicals)
5 days ago
Portsmouth
R&D Engineer – Materials & Spray Technologies Location: Plymouth (with UK & European travel) Hours: 08:00am-5:00pm (Monday to Friday) but the role requires flexibility to meet business needsSalary: £45,000 - £50,000 (DOE) + bonus (upto 15%) Holidays: 22 days + bank holidays (increasing on length of service) Are you an engineer who loves getting hands-on with materials, machines and real-world applications? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where innovation, testing and customer impact sit at the heart of what you do? If this sounds like you, a leading specialist distributor and innovation partner within the highways and infrastructure sector is looking for an R&D Engineer to join its growing product development team. About the Company This is a respected, high-growth business operating across the UK, Ireland and Europe, known for challenging traditional, carbon-intensive methods with safer, more sustainable alternatives. Innovation is central to everything they do, from collaborating with manufacturers and universities to supporting contractors directly on site. Their in-house R&D engineering team plays a pivotal role in shaping next-generation materials, machines and application methods. What’s the role about? This is a genuinely hands-on R&D and product development role, not an administrative desk job. You’ll work across multiple live and in-development projects, owning testing, prototyping and technical support while collaborating with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders. You can expect to be: • Driving innovation across materials, spray technologies and specialist equipment, • Supporting clients through training, demonstrations and on-site testing, • Translating real-world feedback into product improvements and new solutions, • Working flexibly, including travel across the UK and Europe Key Responsibilities: • Run product demonstrations and technical presentations linked to product development, • Train clients on correct application of materials and specialist spray machinery, • Attend and support on-site testing and trials, • Carry out practical testing and prototyping of new products, • Report on test results and create technical documentation, • Conduct market research and competitive product analysis, • Source potential product solutions and development partners, • Collaborate with laboratories and universities on development projects Requirements You’ll be someone who brings: • Proven experience working with paint systems, spray technologies or spraying equipment, • A relevant degree (or postgraduate qualification) in industrial paints, chemicals or similar is advantageous, • Experience in industrial or contracting environments with stakeholder-facing projects (automotive, chemicals, paints, aerospace, fire safety related products), • Strong communication and presentation skills, • A driven, energetic and proactive approach, • The ability to travel freely across the UK and Europe (full UK right to work required), • European language skills (highly advantageous, but not essential) Benefits What’s in it for you? • Impact: Be at the forefront of developing safer, more sustainable infrastructure solutions, • Variety: A mix of lab work, field testing, client engagement and European collaboration, • Growth: Join a growing R&D function with scope to develop leadership and project ownership, • Reward: £45,000- £50,000 base salary plus bonus, • Exposure: Work closely with manufacturers, universities and industry specialists IND25