Lead Engineer (Polymers and Composites) (111298-0226)

Location

University of Warwick Campus, Coventry

Department

WMG

Position Type

Fixed Term

Duration

Fixed-term contract until 31 March 2028

Salary

£47,389 to £56,535 per annum

About the Role

Informal Queries

• For informal queries, please contact Neil Reynolds (Associate Professor) at neil.reynoldswarwick.ac.uk.

The WMG Centre for Polymers & Composites (CPC) are seeking a talented and highly motivated Lead Engineer to join our team in developing sustainable thermoplastic composite manufacturing solutions in collaboration with our industry partners.

You will contribute to a growing project portfolio in sustainable composite manufacturing research at WMG’s Materials Engineering Centre using our industry-leading facilities for polymer composite and hybrid structures, delivering sustainable material solutions through optimised design and volume manufacturing innovations.

You will have a good honours degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline (material science, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering).

Candidates must be proficient in the domain of industrial-scale thermoplastic composite manufacturing research.

Experience of the delivery, leadership and management of project research in a collaborative R&D environment is essential; experience of using composite process simulation CAE tools (e.g., Moldex3D/Moldflow, DIGIMAT) is highly desirable.

About You

To lead the development and demonstration of sustainable polymer composite manufacturing process solutions in collaboration with industry partners and to assist the leadership and project management team in the initiation and delivery of collaborative R&D projects.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

About the Department

This role is based at WMG’s Materials Engineering Centre at the University of Warwick, home to the Centre for Polymers and Composites (CPC). This centre drives innovation in sustainable plastics, composites, hybrid materials, and scalable technologies, supporting projects from TRL 1 through to TRL 6.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team dedicated to advancing the science and engineering of sustainable polymers. Your passion, expertise, and innovation will play a crucial role in shaping a future of more circular materials and responsible manufacturing.

The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is the largest department at the University of Warwick, with over 800 staff and nearly 3,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management, technology, and applied engineering.

We are globally recognised for our world-class research, innovative industry partnerships, and teaching excellence, and we are proud holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Institutional Silver Award.

Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre .

Find out more about the Energy Innovation Centre .

Find out more about our range of undergraduate and apprenticeship degrees here .

About the University

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/ .

* World University Ranking 2026 , Complete University Guide 2026

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

CLOSING DEADLINE: Wednesday 1st April 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click APPLY below and submit your application by the closing deadline.

You will be asked to include a CV and cover letter. Within these documents, please:

1. Outline your employment and education history (including your most recent employment).

2. Outline the reasons for your interest in this position.

3. Demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role with clear reference to each of the essential and desirable criteria in the Job Description (PDF attached below).

• Interview Date: To be confirmed
• Start Date: To be confirmed

Applications must be submitted by the closing deadline. Only applications submitted through our Careers Portal will be considered.

You are welcome to include any careers breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave).

Please note that if you do not evidence the essential criteria, the hiring panel may not be able to shortlist your application. For guidance on how to format a cover letter, see here .

What we Offer

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here .

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer .

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick .

Find out more about our awards and accreditations .

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance .

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description

JD - Lead Engineer (Polymers and Composites) (111298).pdf - 151KB

Right to Work in the UK

We wish to advise applicants that this role is not eligible for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa. If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK you will need to check the UK Government Website to see if you are eligible to obtain the right to work in the UK through one of the other UK immigration routes before you make your application.