R&D Engineer – Special Purpose Machinery
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits
Are you a bright and ambitious engineer looking to develop innovative technologies within the field of special purpose machinery?
Our client, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance industrial equipment, is seeking an R&D Engineer to join their growing research and development team.
You’ll work on the design, testing and refinement of complex electromechanical systems — combining analytical thinking with hands-on experimentation to drive product innovation and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
* Research and develop new and existing special purpose machinery and related systems.
* Plan and perform structured experiments to assess technical performance and reliability.
* Conduct customer application testing and provide detailed technical feedback.
* Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records and reports.
* Analyse and present data clearly to internal stakeholders and customers.
* Support application development and troubleshooting in collaboration with design, sales and service teams.
* Contribute to continuous improvement of R&D processes and laboratory procedures.
* Travel within the UK and internationally as required for testing or customer support.
Essential Qualifications / Skills
* MEng (2:1 or above, 1st preferred) in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering — or related discipline.
* Strong academic background, including A-level Maths and Physics at grade A or higher.
* Excellent understanding of mechanical principles and their practical application.
* Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word (intermediate level minimum).
* Strong analytical, problem-solving and reporting skills.
* Accurate, meticulous, and able to work both independently and within a team.
* Good practical knowledge of engineering measurement tools (e.g. micrometers, verniers, sensors).
* Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken.
* Full UK manual driving licence.
* Able and willing to travel internationally.
Beneficial Skills
* Electrical qualifications or practical electrical experience.
* Experience with AutoCAD or similar CAD software.
* Familiarity with general manufacturing principles, engineering standards, and health & safety awareness.
What’s on Offer
* Competitive salary
* Pension (5%) and life assurance after probation
* Private healthcare and enhanced pension (8%) after qualifying period
* 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service
* Opportunities for professional development and progression
* A dynamic and collaborative R&D environment working with cutting-edge technology