Principal Laboratory Technician Principal Laboratory Technician MPL Location : Cambridge Contract : Permanent Office/Hybrid: Office Based Hours : Full time Job Profile : Principal Laboratory Technician Salary/annum : £40,000.00- £45,000.00 Reference number : JR100798 Closing Date : 24 March 2026 Security requirements: The role will require the successful candidate to undertake a BPSS check. Note : Applicants might receive offers and undergo interviews before the deadline, although the position will remain available for at least seven days. We recommend submitting your application for this role as soon as you can during the recruitment process, prior to the closing date. Description of role: Are you an experienced surface engineering professional with deep expertise in thermal and cold spray technologies and a passion for technical leadership? We are seeking a Principal Spray Technician to play a key role within our Thermal Spray and Cold Spray Surfacing team, an integral part of TWI’s Materials Performance Laboratories. This senior, hands-on role is critical to delivering high-quality coating solutions and supporting advanced manufacturing and research activities across aerospace, automotive, energy and industrial sectors. You will act as a technical authority within the laboratory, supporting complex projects, mentoring technicians, and contributing to process development and continuous improvement. What you’ll be doing Leading and safely operating advanced thermal spray and cold spray processes, including HVOF, plasma, arc and flame spray systems. Setting up, operating and overseeing activities for component preparation and finishing. Supporting the integration, operation and troubleshooting of robotic and automated spray systems (e.g. Fanuc, KUKA, OTC). Interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and process instructions to ensure coating integrity and dimensional compliance. Managing surface preparation, masking, pre- and post-processing activities (e.g. grit blasting, grinding and machining). Monitoring and optimising process parameters to ensure repeatability, quality and efficiency. Carrying out inspections using precision measurement and inspection equipment. Collaborating closely with engineers and project teams on process development, optimisation and innovation. Ensuring full compliance with health, safety and environmental requirements, particularly when handling powders, gases and high-temperature processes. Maintaining accurate technical documentation, quality records and traceability. What you bring Extensive hands-on experience in thermal spray and cold spray coating technologies. Strong background in machining and component finishing operations. Proven experience working with robotic or automated spray systems. Sound understanding of materials, metallurgy and surface engineering principles. High level of competence using precision measurement and inspection tools. Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capability, with attention to detail. Ability to work autonomously while also providing leadership and support to others. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams Bonus points for Experience supporting process development, optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S. Experience working in safety-critical or regulated laboratory/manufacturing environments. Safety First You’ll be part of a team that values safety, quality, and collaboration. You will be expected to work to established procedures, contribute to risk and COSHH assessments, and actively promote a strong safety culture within the team, but we’ll support you with the training and tools you need to succeed. If you're ready to take your engineering career to the next level in a role that’s both challenging and rewarding, apply now and help us shape the future of spray technologies. Don’t worry if you don’t tick every box—we provide full training and are more interested in your potential and passion than a perfect CV. For further details, please follow the Job Description link below : https://www.twi-global.com/pdfs/careers/JR100798-Principal-Lab-Tech-March-26.pdf Travel : This position may require occasional travel in the UK. About us: TWI Ltd is a world expert in engineering, materials and joining technologies with significant property assets. We provide industry with advice and know-how in design, fabrication, failure analysis and prevention. We offer opportunities to collaborate with inspiring and expert teams and a supportive environment in which you are actively encouraged to share your ideas and continually develop your own skills and knowledge. If you are looking to join an organisation that is fuelled by innovation, teamwork, and openness, this role could be for you. Diversity statement: TWI Ltd is committed to treating all employees fairly and to being an inclusive employer. Our aim is to create a work environment where our employees can reach their full potential. We put Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of our people practices to attract, develop and retain the best talent. Inclusion: We recognise that it’s the differences of our people that gives us our competitive edge and enables us to maintain our world leading reputation. This is why we are committed to ensuring there is diversity across every level of our organisation; representative of the Members and societies we serve. We have made Inclusion our number one corporate value to demonstrate our commitment to ensure it is at the core of everything we do at TWI. Disability Confident Scheme : We are pleased to confirm that we have achieved the first stage accreditation, which means we are a ‘Disability Confident Employer’. This is a government-supported scheme that supports organisations like TWI to make the most of the talents that people with disability can bring to our workplace. The scheme helps us recruit and retain great people; draw from the widest possible pool of talent; secure high-quality employees who are skilled, loyal and hardworking; and improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that we treat all of our people fairly. If you require any additional support during your application, interview or any other aspect of our recruitment process please reach out to Recruitment@TWI.co.uk Why work for TWI? We offer a competitive salary, share-in-success bonus scheme, generous pension scheme (both employee contribution (flexible amount) and TWI contribution (up to 10% of salary), holiday (20 days 5 Corporate days 8 bank holiday’s), private health and dental cover, career development and training, onsite employee restaurant, onsite gym, day nursery available for companies on Granta Park (Cambridge) site (subject to availability), onsite parking and more. We know that balancing work and personal life can at times be challenging. This is why we continue to review and implement family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible working, enhanced maternity pay and paid parental leave. Working hours: 36 hours per week (full time), 8.30am -16.30pm Monday to Thursday (finishing at 16.15pm on Friday). Part-time and hybrid working available in some roles. Artificial Intelligence: At TWI, we want you to know that your application is in good hands. We do not use AI tools or automated systems to review or sift through applications. Instead, every application is personally reviewed by the hiring manager. We believe in being open and transparent with our candidates, and we’re committed to giving your application the attention it deserves. TWI Culture As one of the world’s leading independent research and technology organisations, we are committed to attracting, motivating and retaining the best talent from around the world. Our goal is to develop the next generation of experts to address future industry challenges. We are committed to creating a culture that recognises and respects the differences between people while valuing the contribution everyone makes to TWI. The diversity of our staff and students makes a positive and important contribution to our continuing success. TWI offers a comprehensive training programme, incorporating both in-house and external courses to support staff development. TWI Values: Our six values provide a point of reference for the way we expect our people to operate and behave. Inclusion: Valuing the contribution from every individual, creating value for our customers Teamwork: Building effective working relationships, we accomplish more together Adaptability: Engaging positively with change to meet the needs of the business Taking Responsibility : Achieving our objectives and personal development Innovation & Expertise : Championing new ideas and sharing knowledge to solve industry problems Customer Focus : Building trusting relationships with our customers