Lead Innovation Engineer

Workington
1 day ago
Create job alert

Lead Innovation Engineer
The client is known for its market leading innovative digital aerial surveys which have been deployed in ten countries. We are expanding across all of our services, combining technical and scientific excellence, and its crucial to the company that we continue to lead in the innovation of new products, based upon credible science, and deliver all of our services in a consistent and efficient manner. We work on a range of projects from our digital aerial surveys, ornithological and marine mammal statistical analysis and research and development projects in fields such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, often with our parent companies BioConsult SH in Germany, Biotope in France, other partners and domain experts.

Location: this role is based at the client’s Head Office in Lillyhall, Cumbria - or at any other location as deemed reasonably necessary. Occasional travel including outside of the UK may also be required.

The Role:
The role includes but is not limited to:
• Initiating, managing and overseeing engineering innovation projects targeted at new product and service development in close collaboration with our international partners;
• Conducting technology scouting and horizon scanning activities to identify emerging technologies, platforms, and sensors that could enhance the clients surveying capabilities, ensuring that the client remains ahead of industry trends;
• Leading the creation and execution of innovation strategies for the Company, ensuring alignment with the client's overall business objectives and long-term vision. Driving innovation across all levels of the organization and collaborating with both internal and external teams to achieve successful outcomes
• Coordinating the development and testing of new survey tools, platforms,
and sensors, ensuring they are suitable for deployment in wildlife and environmental monitoring projects. Managing the full product lifecycle from concept through to field testing and implementation;
• Working closely with the Engineering, Commercial, and Operations teams to integrate innovation into the client’s existing infrastructure. Collaborating with international partners and stakeholders to align efforts and maximize innovation impact;
• Coordinating project teams consisting of inter-departmental and inter-company colleagues efficiently, cost effectively and with a focus on team development;
• Devising and conducting tests and experiments in coordination with other departments to advance the understanding and development of technologies;
• Contributing to and supporting innovation tenders, working closely with internal departments and international partners;
• Regularly producing and presenting reports on the progress of innovation projects, including key findings, insights, and recommendations, for both internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Sharing knowledge across internal and external teams to promote best practices and continual learning;
• Staying informed about industry standards, regulations, and best practices, ensuring that the client’s new technologies comply with all legal and regulatory requirements, both within the UK and internationally
• Establishing and nurturing relationships with external vendors, suppliers, and partners to support ongoing innovation projects and to leverage third-party expertise and technologies; and
• Any other responsibilities as the Company may see fit.

Qualifications
• A master’s degree in Engineering, preferably with a focus on optronics, environmental monitoring, or a similar field; and
• Additional certifications or experience in aviation technologies would be advantageous.

Skills & Knowledge
• Positive and self-driven mindset with strong verbal and written skills;
• Knowledge of engineering processes for configuration management, design and maintenance;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent attention to detail and time management;
• Good knowledge of project management;
• Ability to organise, coordinate and prioritise workloads, over multiple projects, to ensure key deliverables are met through project management.
• Strong leadership and innovation management skills, with the ability to inspire and drive change within teams and across departments
• In-depth understanding of emerging technologies, sensors, and platforms for aerial surveys and environmental monitoring
• Ability to translate technical concepts into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders
• Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and complex, multi-stakeholder projects; and
• Advanced proficiency in design software (AutoCAD or similar) and familiarity with modelling software for technology development.

Experience
• Experience of working in a R&D or innovation role;
• Experience of working and interacting with a wide variety of stakeholders to understand requirements, communicate progress and manage expectations;
• Experience producing design documentation through AutoCAD or other CAD software;
• Experience leading or managing innovation-driven projects, particularly in the field of environmental monitoring or remote sensing;
• "Demonstrated success in developing new products or services and bringing them to market;
• Experience collaborating with academic, research, and industry partners to foster technological advancements; and
• Proven track record of successfully managing innovation portfolios, including new product developments and technology scouting.

Benefits / Remuneration:
• Salary, starting from circa £42,000 p.a.
• Competitive, discretionary profit share scheme.
• Full-time, permanent position.
• Working hours are based on Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00.
• 33 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays.
• 4% company pension contribution.
• Private medical and dental care scheme.
• Medicash scheme.
• Group Life Assurance.
• Company sick pay allowance.
• Salary sacrifice scheme including Pension Salary Exchange, Cycle to Work scheme, and help towards the purchase of ultra-low emission vehicles

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Design & Development Engineer (Hardware)

Sr. System Dev. Engineer, WW AMZL Innovation and Design Engineering

Principal Data Scientist - NLP

Lead Data Engineer

Senior IT Engineer

Senior IT Engineer

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Tips for Staying Inspired: How Machine Learning Pros Fuel Creativity and Innovation

Machine learning (ML) continues to reshape industries—from personalised e-commerce recommendations and autonomous vehicles to advanced healthcare diagnostics and predictive maintenance in manufacturing. Yet behind every revolutionary model lies a challenging and sometimes repetitive process: data cleaning, hyperparameter tuning, infrastructure management, stakeholder communications, and constant performance monitoring. It’s no wonder many ML professionals can experience creative fatigue or get stuck in the daily grind. So, how do machine learning experts keep their spark alive and continually generate fresh ideas? Below, you’ll find ten actionable strategies that successful ML engineers, data scientists, and research scientists use to stay innovative and push boundaries. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or just breaking into the field, these tips can help you fuel creativity and discover new angles for solving complex problems.

Top 10 Machine Learning Career Myths Debunked: Key Facts for Aspiring Professionals

Machine learning (ML) has become one of the hottest fields in technology—touching everything from recommendation engines and self-driving cars to language translation and healthcare diagnostics. The immense potential of ML, combined with attractive compensation packages and high-profile success stories, has spurred countless professionals and students to explore this career path. Yet, despite the boom in demand and innovation, machine learning is not exempt from myths and misconceptions. At MachineLearningJobs.co.uk, we’ve had front-row seats to the real-life career journeys and hiring needs in this field. We see, time and again, that outdated assumptions—like needing a PhD from a top university or that ML is purely about deep neural networks—can mislead new entrants and even deter seasoned professionals from making a successful transition. If you’re curious about a career in machine learning or looking to take your existing ML expertise to the next level, this article is for you. Below, we debunk 10 of the most persistent myths about machine learning careers and offer a clear-eyed view of the essential skills, opportunities, and realistic paths forward. By the end, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your future in this dynamic and rewarding domain.

Global vs. Local: Comparing the UK Machine Learning Job Market to International Landscapes

How to evaluate opportunities, salaries, and work culture in machine learning across the UK, the US, Europe, and Asia Machine learning (ML) has rapidly transcended the research labs of academia to become a foundational pillar of modern technology. From recommendation engines and autonomous vehicles to fraud detection and personalised healthcare, machine learning techniques are increasingly ubiquitous, transforming how organisations operate. This surge in applications has fuelled an extraordinary global demand for ML professionals—data scientists, ML engineers, research scientists, and more. In this article, we’ll examine how the UK machine learning job market compares to prominent international hubs, including the United States, Europe, and Asia. We’ll explore hiring trends, salary ranges, workplace cultures, and the nuances of remote and overseas roles. Whether you’re a fresh graduate aiming to break into the field, a software engineer with an ML specialisation, or a seasoned professional seeking your next challenge, understanding the global ML landscape is essential for making an informed career move. By the end of this overview, you’ll be equipped with insights into which regions offer the best blend of salaries, work-life balance, and cutting-edge projects—plus practical tips on how to succeed in a domain that’s constantly evolving. Let’s dive in.