Research And Development Engineer

Coventry | 08:00–16:35 (Mon–Thu), 08:00–15:10 (Fri)

Full-time | Permanent | On-site, 5 days a week

£37,500 – £47,500 (dependent on experience)

We’re looking for a collaborative and hands-on R&D / Project Engineer to join our technical team at NP Aerospace.

You’ll play a key role in developing advanced armour systems that protect military and law enforcement personnel, including ballistic helmets, shields, body armour plates and vehicle protection.

This is a varied role where you’ll support engineering, design and manufacturing teams to make sure our products meet technical, quality and safety standards — and are delivered on time and on budget.

If you enjoy solving technical problems, working with composite materials, and want to be part of a team where your work has real-world impact, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting product development from early-stage design through to testing, trials and delivery
  
  
• Creating specifications, trial programmes, and test documentation
  
  
• Analysing test data and writing clear technical reports
  
  
• Collaborating across Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Sales teams
  
  
• Supporting component manufacturing with schematics, CNC programming, tooling guidance and training
  
  
• Helping to define materials, processing methods, and quality standards
  
  
• Leading verification and validation activities for internal and customer-funded projects
  
  
• Problem solving product and design issues across the lifecycle
  
  What we’re looking for
  
  Essential
  
  
• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar
  
  
• Experience working on design and development projects
  
  
• Confident reading and working with engineering drawings and standards
  
  
• Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical teams
  
  
• Knowledge of change management, configuration control, and technical documentation (e.g. FMEA, DVP&R, SoW)
  
  
• Proficient in MS Office
  
  Desirable
  
  
• Experience with 3D CAD software (PTC Creo preferred) and Windchill PDM
  
  
• Understanding of ballistic testing and composite materials
  
  
• Hands-on knowledge of compression/autoclave moulding, fabrication, or assembly
  
  
• Familiarity with tooling design and design for manufacture
  
  
• Experience managing project cost and timelines
  
  What we offer
  
  
• Discretionary half-year bonuses
  
  
• Flexible start and finish times (subject to operational needs)
  
  
• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more
  
  
• Paid leave for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
  
  
• 9% combined pension contribution (4% employer / 5% employee)
  
  
• Life cover – 3x base salary
  
  
• BHSF cash healthcare plan
  
  Our values
  
  At NP Aerospace, we’re proud to protect lives through engineering excellence. We believe in respect, collaboration, integrity and dedication — and we live those values every day.
  
  We’re committed to equality and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including veterans, reservists, and those returning to work after a career break.
  
  Interested? Here’s what to expect
  
  This role is based on-site at our Foleshill Road facility in Coventry. Due to the nature of our work, successful applicants will be required to pass relevant background checks and sign the Official Secrets Act.
  
  If this sounds like the right next step in your engineering career, we’d love to hear from you