Senior Principal Research Engineer Composite Materials / Advanced Materials Contract Length: 6 months Rate: £60 per hour Umbrella IR35 Status: Inside IR35 Location: Hybrid (2 days per week from home) Clearance required: DV - 10 years residency in the UK with no more than 3 months out of the country in one period. Strong technical knowledge of composite materials, including design, processing, and performance characteristics. Proven experience leading R&D projects and delivering successful outcomes. Industry experience-ideally within defence, aerospace or other high-performance sectors. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and project leadership capabilities. About the Role We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Research Engineer with expertise in advanced composite materials / CMC's to lead and deliver cutting-edge research programmes. This role is ideal for an experienced materials specialist who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of composite technologies, supporting UK strategic priorities, and accelerating the transition of new materials into industrial application. Key Responsibilities * Lead and deliver programmes in advanced composites / advanced materials, particularly CMC's * Develop novel fibre architectures, resin systems, and multifunctional composite solutions. * Collaborate with industry partners, government stakeholders, and academic institutions to drive innovation and technology readiness. * Support research programmes while ensuring adherence to secure technology development protocols. * Produce technical documentation, proposals, and publications to support knowledge sharing and future funding. * Uphold security requirements and contribute to national security and defence strategy initiatives. For further information, please send your CV over and we will be in touch