R&D Development Engineer

Overall Purpose:

As our R&D Development engineer, you'll be the technical architect behind innovative roofing solutions that solve real-world construction challenges. Your expertise in CAD technology will drive product innovation, ensuring every design not only meets the highest industry standards but also advances Nicholson's reputation as the go-to specialist for complex roofing system solutions. You'll be instrumental in our continued growth, working closely with Tier 1 contractors and architects to deliver bespoke engineering solutions that make the impossible, possible.

We are looking for an adaptable, hands-on Development Engineer to join our Research & Development team, working on the development of bespoke construction products.

This role requires a strong engineering foundation, practical problem-solving ability, and the confidence to take responsibility for progressing R&D work packages through relevant stages of our product development process. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the R&D Manager and wider business, contributing to design, prototyping, testing and documentation activities that support robust, evidence-led product development.

This is a practical engineering role suited to someone who enjoys turning partially defined problems into well-considered, testable solutions, and who is comfortable working across CAD, workshop, and testing environments.

Key Goals for first 6 months:

80% of Scorecard achieved

Able to confidently handle an R&D project all the way from Ideation to manufacture

Annual Leave: 31 holidays (including bank holidays)

Other Benefits:

5 sick days on full pay
Free lunches

Buy or sell holiday scheme

Birthday voucher
Free On-Site Parking
NEST Pension scheme
Health insurance scheme, including discounted gym membership and appointment paybacks

Place of Work: Due to the collaborative nature of this position, this is primarily an office-based role, with the occasional WFH day is possible with manager approval.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday. 40-Hour Week. Flexible Start and Finish between 7am-5 pm

Reports to: R&D Manager

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Concept Development & Feasibility

Contribute engineering insight to early-stage idea generation and feasibility discussions

Review proposed concepts and solutions from a range of sources, including internal idea submissions

Evaluate solution options using technical, practical and performance-based considerations

Translate approved concepts into clear development objectives and draft briefs for further review

Ensure sufficient information is available to support informed project decisions

Detailed Specification:

Design the concept on CAD - both 2D and 3D

Develop the performance criteria

Conduct desktop testing in a virtual environment, e.g. stress analysis

Create a technical specification

Create the Specification Summary Report

Prototype Development:

Extract part files from CAD models and raise procurement requests for prototype components

Fabricate or modify parts as required to support prototyping activities

Assemble physical prototypes to assess functionality, buildability and performance

Coordinate external testing activities where required to support compliance or validation

Finalise prototype builds and ensure all relevant information is documented

Prepare Prototype Summary Reports and share outcomes with stakeholders

Testing & Validation:

Develop and execute testing methodologies in line with agreed R&D and compliance requirements

Prepare test rigs and equipment for internal testing activities

Conduct internal testing for functionality, structural performance and weathering integrity

Collect test data from sensors, measurements and observations

Record, analyse and present test data in clear and meaningful formats

Draft test reports in line with agreed internal standards

Cross-functional Collaboration:

Work closely with design, marketing, and sales teams to bring products through the R&D process, to market

Facilitate communication and collaboration between different departments to ensure product success

Coordinate with quality assurance team to ensure product quality and reliability

There may be additional duties to the above.

KPIs

Throughput of projects in accordance with the weekly department plan - target zero discrepancy

What We're Looking For

Skills, Experience, Qualifications required

Previous experience (6 months or more) in R&D for a construction product, in a large organisation

Good understanding of the built environment and building envelope and construction principles

Understands and is qualified in engineering, such as mechanical engineering degree.

Strong practical problem-solving skills, with the ability to progress defined work packages independently

Well organised, with the ability to manage tasks across multiple development activities

Practical, hands on candidate, with
exposure to metalwork and engineering e.g. welding, drilling, folding, test rigs etc.

Fluent in Autocad 2D and 3D design (ideally Inventor)

Demonstrable experience of ability to provide tangible solutions

Strong Project management skills, able to take projects through all stages of the R&D process

A full UK work authorisation without the need for current or future sponsorship

Alignment with, and commitment to the Nicholson company values

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

The candidate should have a range of GCSE / A Level results which show passes in English and Mathematics

Personal Attributes

You are someone aligned to the Nicholson Values of Humility, Agility, Focus, Enthusiasm, and Integrity.

You are someone who thrives on getting things done properly and seeing projects through to completion. Your natural approach is methodical and systematic - you like to follow processes, take detailed notes, and ensure everything meets required standards. You genuinely care about accuracy and take pride in producing high-quality technical work. You're comfortable focusing on your own tasks without needing constant social interaction, preferring steady, consistent work over dramatic ups and downs. You have a practical mindset and can spot potential issues early, but don't let this stop you moving forward with projects.

You appreciate clear guidelines and are naturally accountable for your work. You're more interested in finding the right solution than winning arguments, making sensible, well-considered decisions rather than jumping into things impulsively.

Nicholson context - www.nicholsonsts.com
Nicholson STS Ltd is an innovative and fast-growing company which designs, manufactures and supplies specialist roofing systems. We supply Tier 1 construction companies, roofing contractors and the solar industry with unique products to help solve specific challenges in the industry, such as waterproofing riser penetrations, and fixing to the structure in a 100% waterproof way. We aim to be involved in sales projects at the earliest opportunity, so target specifiers and architects. The company was started by two brothers, Paul Boyt and Alan Boyt in 2000. Before this, they were roofing contractors, but quickly realised that there were not the products on the market to solve challenges they were facing, so they began to design and manufacture products. These became the basis of the Nicholson product range, and we’re still innovating today. We are proud of our staff retention, so only serious applications please!