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. You'll transform client visions into precision-engineered designs that directly impact major construction projects across the UK. 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 need an adaptable and hands on design engineer individual to join our Research & Development team. This role requires an understanding of engineering and strong ideation / blue sky thinking skills and practical application, to enable you to bring projects through the entire R&D product development process phases.

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

Ideation:

• Brainstorm solutions to proposed problems


• Review solutions, either from brainstorms, or from other sources such as innovation sheet


• Review 12 considerations to ensure projects are considered from multiple perspectives.


• Create objective statement


• Ensure all information is provided for the High Level Review

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:

• Develop physical prototypes to test concepts


• Conduct internal testing for functionality, structural and weathering integrity


• Coordinate external testing for compliance with industry standards and regs


• Conduct a final prototype and ensure that all information is documented


• Create all required documentation, including but not restricted to: Prototype Summary Report

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

Essential Experience

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Autodesk Inventor (or similar 3D CAD software)


• Strong experience with AutoCAD 2D and 3D software
  


• High attention to detail with strong mechanical and spatial reasoning


• Excellent technical, mechanical, and mathematical ability


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages

Experience & Knowledge:

• Previous construction experience and knowledge


• Understanding of UK construction practices and technical design processes


• Background in architectural design or construction detailing (rather than product design)


• Minimum 2 years CAD experience

Highly Desirable

• Experience in relevant industries: civil engineering, roofing, cladding, sheet metal work, or architecture


• Engineering or architectural qualification


• Experience with sheet metal design


• Engineering or architectural qualification highly desirable

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!