Principal Research Engineer

Join Our Client as a Principal Research Engineer - Pioneering Industrial Data Sharing & AI Innovation

Are you a seasoned professional with a passion for transforming cutting-edge research into impactful real-world solutions? Our Client, a global leader in industrial technology and innovation is seeking a highly experienced Principal Research Engineer to spearhead initiatives in distributed data sharing within industrial ecosystems. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead strategic projects that shape the future of smart infrastructure and cross-sector collaboration.

About Our Client

Operating at the forefront of the industrial and energy sectors, Our Client is dedicated to developing transformative solutions that drive efficiency, sustainability and digital innovation. Renowned for their commitment to research excellence and technological advancement, they offer a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and professional growth. With a strong emphasis on innovation and a forward-looking culture, they provide the ideal setting for industry leaders eager to influence the future of industrial systems.

Role Overview

In response to expanding strategic priorities, Our Client is appointing a Principal Research Engineer to advance their capabilities in secure, scalable, and industrial-grade data sharing. This senior role is pivotal in bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical deployment, enabling cross-sector ecosystems that leverage distributed systems and artificial intelligence. The successful candidate will play a key part in shaping strategic standards, driving innovation ownership, and fostering collaborations across sector boundaries.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualisation and realisation of scalable distributed data sharing architectures tailored for industrial environments.
• Drive the integration of AI solutions-emphasising trust, explainability, and governance-into operational industrial systems.
• Collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams, translating research insights into implementable strategies and standards.
• Influence industry-wide standards, contribute to patents and publications, and support strategic partnerships.
• Support proposal development for EU funding programmes and manage existing European collaboration networks.
• Advise on AI deployment at the edge, Real Time analytics, and hybrid AI systems to enable smarter industry workflows.
• Maintain a strategic overview of evolving technological trends and incorporate best practices into project execution.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven industrial R&D or applied research experience in distributed systems, data sharing, or digital ecosystems.
• Strong understanding of industrial AI applications, including trust, governance, and explainability.
• Demonstrable knowledge of architectures underpinning industrial data infrastructures.
• Established industry network and credibility, with experience working in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Hands-on exposure to standards development, patents, or significant publications is highly desirable.
• Ability to engage with both technical and strategic stakeholders effectively.
• Experience with EU funding landscapes, proposal writing, or managing European research collaborations.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Background in energy, manufacturing, or industrial IoT ecosystem developments.
• Advanced familiarity with digital twin technologies and edge AI systems.
• Industry involvement in standards committees or innovation consortia.
• Multilingual capabilities or international collaboration experience within European projects.
• Prior experience influencing product architecture or contributing to intellectual property development.

Why Join Our Client?

• Be part of a pioneering team influencing the future of industrial ecosystems.
• Engage with cutting-edge research and drive real-world implementation.
• Enjoy strategic influence over technology standards, patents, and product roadmaps.
• Contribute to impactful cross-sector projects with global reach.
• Thrive in a flexible work environment that values autonomy, innovation, and quality.

Candidate Profile

We welcome applications from professionals with a blend of industrial experience and research exposure. The ideal candidate will possess a strategic mindset, strong technical understanding, and a robust industrial network. While deep AI expertise is advantageous, the emphasis is placed on industrial relevance, implementation capability, and collaborative potential.

Application Process & Next Steps

If you are excited by this opportunity to lead transformative industrial projects, we invite you to submit your CV. Our Client values quality applicants; hence, the process will be highly selective and swift for outstanding candidates. Interviews are expected to be held throughout June, with decisions made early July. The primary location is Bristol, offering a hybrid working structure, with flexibility to accommodate other UK locations or future international arrangements.

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to make a strategic impact within a globally recognised innovator? Apply now with your CV to be considered for this influential Principal Research Engineer role and help shape the future of industrial digital ecosystems.