Research Engineer

Research Engineer - Process Chemistry & Scale UpOn-site / Hybrid considered Salary £26,000 - £34,000 per annumAbout the Role:

CPI is seeking a Research Engineer - Process Chemistry & Scale Up to join our Process Chemistry and Scale Up team, an interdisciplinary group of engineers and chemists working at the interface between laboratory science and pilot-scale manufacturing.

This role is firmly engineering-focused. You will work alongside process chemists to bridge the gap between bench-scale chemistry and scalable, robust processes, with a particular focus on powder-based systems, particle technologies, and battery-related applications.

The team has recently opened a new pilot plant facility, and this role will play a key part in commissioning, maintaining, and operating larger-scale equipment - supporting scale-up, process understanding, and delivery of client and internal programmes.

This opportunity is well suited to an early-career or developing engineer (for example a recent PhD graduate or MEng Chemical Engineer) who wants to apply engineering thinking in a hands-on, applied R&D environment.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

Process Engineering & Scale-Up

• Support scale-up activities from bench-scale chemistry into pilot-scale processes
• Apply engineering principles to translate laboratory concepts into practical, scalable solutions
• Work closely with chemists to enable robust and manufacturable processes

Pilot Plant & Equipment Support

• Commission, maintain, and support pilot-scale processing equipment
• Carry out equipment calibration, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Support the safe operation of larger-scale and specialist process equipment

Powder & Particle Technology

• Contribute to projects involving powder processing, characterisation, and handling
• Apply knowledge of particulate systems within battery materials and related technologies
• Support development work involving complex particles and solids processing

Process Understanding & Modelling

• Contribute to process simulation, modelling, and data analysis where appropriate
• Support experimental planning, scale-up studies, and technical reporting
• Maintain high-quality documentation in line with SHE, quality, and best practice requirements

Collaboration & Delivery

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and chemists
• Take ownership of delegated engineering tasks and deliver them reliably
• Support commissioning and early operation of new facilities and capabilities

About You:

You are an engineer first and foremost, with an interest in applying engineering thinking to chemistry-led processes. You enjoy practical problem-solving and want exposure to real equipment, pilot plants, and scale-up challenges.

You'll bring:

• A background in Chemical Engineering (degree, MEng, or PhD) or a closely related discipline
• An engineering mindset with an interest in process scale-up and applied R&D
• Exposure to powders, particles, solids handling, or powder characterisation (from academia or industry)
• Willingness to work hands-on with equipment in a pilot-plant environment
• A structured, dependable approach to completing delegated tasks

Desirable (but not essential):

• Exposure to battery materials or battery processing
• Experience of pilot-scale equipment, commissioning activities, or laboratories
• Familiarity with process simulation or modelling tools
• PhD qualification or membership (or working towards membership) of a professional engineering body

This role is not suited to a pure scientist profile - we are specifically looking for someone who wants to develop and apply engineering capability.

Why Join CPI?

• Work at the interface of chemistry, engineering, and scale-up
• Hands-on experience with new pilot plant facilities and equipment
• Exposure to emerging technologies, including battery materials and particulate systems
• Supportive, collaborative team environment with strong technical mentoring
• Clear development pathway, with potential to progress role level and salary

Location & Working Pattern

• Based primarily on site within CPI's facilities
• Some flexibility may be available depending on project needs
• Role involves practical, on-site engineering work with pilot equipment

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.