Job Description
Job Title:  Project Engineer
Posting Start Date:  25/09/2025
Job Id:  1534
School/Department:  Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Permanent
Salary per annum (£):  32,080
Closing Date:  10/10/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

 

Are you a STEM graduate with a thirst for knowledge and a talent for picking up new skills? Do you thrive on a mix of hands-on experimental work and in-depth data analysis? We're looking for a fast-learning individual with strong transferable research skills to join our Subtractive Process team at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), as a Project Engineer.

You'll be instrumental in the assessment, optimisation, and application of subtractive process solutions and associated technology. Your focus will be on boosting efficiency in machining processes, specifically through advancements in milling, turning, drilling, CAM strategy, virtual machining and machine tool capability.

You'll showcase groundbreaking technologies, through manufacturing demonstration components. Collaboration is key; you'll work closely with partners, help scope new projects, and deliver complex initiatives, with support from experienced staff members, ensuring you have the mentorship you need to succeed.

Through interactions with our partners, you'll contribute to shaping the direction of your specific research area. While a strong background in engineering or relevant qualifications is a plus, we're particularly keen to hear from individuals who are excellent at managing their time, adhere to quality and project management procedures, and are excited by a challenge.

This role involves occasional travel for on-site investigations or meetings, within the UK, but with occasional international trips. This role will also involve occasional work within the defence sector.

If you're ready to dive into exciting projects and contribute to innovative manufacturing, we encourage you to apply!

 

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Technically deliver high quality research and machining projects in the Machining Group.

 

  • Research, analyse, collate and edit data and techniques for inclusion in reports and other documents to summarise main findings and conclusions of tests and experiments.

 

  • Analyse and record data to aid the design of future research methodology and produce useful findings for other industrial partners, funders, policy makers and practitioners.

 

  • Implement and oversee the preparation of materials (work piece, tooling, fixtures, etc.) and set up equipment for experiments that have been designed specifically to meet research objectives and find solutions.

 

  • Develop skills through external or on the job training, suitable to accomplish the engineering and project tasks required.

 

  • Present data results to internal and external stakeholders at all levels in a professional and concise manner.

 

  • Plan and carry out tasks and responsibilities over the short-medium term, with an awareness of longer term issues to meet the research objectives set in a project.

 

  • Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments.

 

  • Produce detailed and accurate project documentation such as statements of work, experiment methodology and quality gate sheets.

 

  • Support planning for short-term projects in their own area, or contribute to the planning of the group.

 

  • Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for AMRC project reports, industrial partner deadlines and to support preparation for presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

 

  • Working alongside the Project Management team to plan and order appropriate tooling, materials and hardware ahead of project requirements.

 

  • Work alongside the Machining Shop Floor staff to enable smooth transitions of project deliveries and machining demonstrations.

 

  • Update Project Manager and Technical Line Manager with progress reports and escalation of any issues.

 

  • Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

 

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Educational Background: A strong STEM degree (e.g., engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, computer science, mathematics) or equivalent experience demonstrating a robust understanding of scientific principles and problem-solving.

Essential

Application

Adaptability & Problem-Solving: The ability to creatively analyse and solve problems, considering both immediate and long-term implications. This includes effectively planning, monitoring, and revising your approach as circumstances change.

Essential

Application

Information Management: Skilled in managing information, including capturing, carrying out, and following up on actions.

Essential

Application

Communication & Collaboration: Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences. You should be courteous, positive, and supportive in interactions with others, and comfortable working effectively within both small and large teams.

Essential

Application/

Interview

Initiative & Learning: A genuine desire to embrace "on-the-job" technical guidance and training opportunities to expand your knowledge and capabilities.

Essential

Application/

Interview

Resourcefulness: The ability to assess and organise resources, and to plan and progress your own work activities with appropriate support.

Essential

Application/

Interview

A willingness to work on defence related projects

Essential

Application

IT Proficiency: Strong IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office

Essential

Application

Communication Exposure: Experience in writing reports, delivering presentations, and communicating effectively with staff at all levels.

Essential

Interview

Experimental Work: Experience in performing practical experimental work.

Desirable

Application/ Interview

Technical Software: Familiarity with CAD/CAM software and NC machining hardware.

Desirable

Application/ Interview

 

Further Information

 

Grade

6

Salary

£32,080 - £36,636 per annum, with potential to progress to £39,906 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution. 

Work arrangement

Full-time - Open-ended - Hybrid and Flexible options considered.

Line manager

Technical Lead

Direct reports

N/A

Our website

https://www.amrc.co.uk/

For informal enquiries about this job contact Emily Pickford, Technical Fellow: on e.pickford@sheffield.ac.uk

 

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place 2 weeks after the closing date. This will consist of a 50-minute interview, including a 10 minutes presentation (topic to be confirmed on invite to interview). We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage one week after the advert closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact e.pickford@amrc.co.uk.

 

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

  • A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • support for those going through the menopause
    • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
    • and more


More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

 

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

 

Baseline personnel security standard

Please be aware that there is a requirement for the successful applicant to undertake a Baseline Personnel Security Standard check (BPSS). Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the check when you are applying for this post.

More details can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#baseline-personnel-security-standard-bpss

 

 

The University of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and students. It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding checks in line with the requirements of each role and the guidance from the Department for Education.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
- Childcare disqualification
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Medical
- Online and social media
- Eligibility to work
- Satisfactory references
- Suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Safeguarding policy

Employment of ex-offenders policy

Disability Confident Leader