Engineer & Senior Engineer - Mechanical/Pipeline/Gas

Some engineering questions cannot be answered by standards alone.

When the consequences are significant and confidence matters, industry often needs evidence. For 50 years, organisations from around the world have come to DNV’s Spadeadam R&D Centre to find those answers.

Spadeadam is one of the world’s leading major hazards R&D facilities. Our engineers, scientists and technical specialists design, build and operate unique experimental facilities that help industry understand some of its most challenging safety and resilience questions. From hydrogen and alternative fuels to high-pressure gas releases, fire and explosion hazards, pipeline safety and critical infrastructure resilience, the work undertaken here helps shape engineering practice, inform major investment decisions and improve safety around the world.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking to recruit both Engineers and Senior Engineers to join our Major Hazards R&D team.

A Different Kind of Engineering Role

This is not a conventional engineering role. Many engineering careers focus on applying existing knowledge. At Spadeadam, you will help create it. Our teams develop one-of-a-kind experimental facilities and undertake world-leading research programmes designed to answer questions that cannot be resolved through standards, guidance or modelling alone. We generate the evidence that helps clients make decisions with confidence.

Our work spans some of the most important challenges facing the energy, industrial and critical infrastructure sectors. Projects may include hydrogen and alternative fuel safety, high-pressure gas release studies, full-scale fire and explosion research, pipeline safety and integrity, critical infrastructure resilience, hazardous area investigations, battery energy storage systems, industrial process safety and emerging energy technologies. Our expertise is also increasingly applied to energy security, infrastructure protection and defence-related programmes.

You will become involved throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development and engineering design through construction, commissioning, testing and operation. One week you may be helping to develop a new hydrogen research facility; the next, you could be designing modifications to a high-pressure gas system, supporting the construction of a large-scale test rig, preparing for a full-scale explosion experiment or helping an international client understand the implications of complex test data. No two projects are the same, and many involve challenges that have never previously been addressed at full scale.

While the work is globally significant, the location offers something increasingly rare. Situated on the Cumbrian side of the border with Northumberland, Spadeadam provides access to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the United Kingdom. The Lake District, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall and the Solway Coast are all within easy reach.

Many colleagues choose to live in rural villages, market towns, Carlisle, Newcastle or southern Scotland, combining an exceptional quality of life with technically challenging and rewarding careers.

As our research, testing and engineering activities are highly practical and collaborative, this role is predominantly site-based at Spadeadam. Whilst occasional flexibility may be possible where project requirements allow, applicants should expect to spend the vast majority of their working time on site and this role is therefore likely to be best suited to someone within reasonable daily commuting distance of the facility.

Reward and Benefits

We value all our people and the contributions they make to our business, that’s why we offer a flexible reward and benefits package, allowing you to choose the things that matter most to you, including;

• Excellent career development and progression opportunities within DNV’s global reach
• Non-Contractual Profit Share Scheme
• Lifestyle benefits: 26 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity for up to 10 days unpaid leave, sabbatical leave, flexible working options
• Wellbeing benefits:
  • Private Medical and Dental Insurance
  • Annual Gym/Fitness Club allowance
  • Annual Health Assessments, flu vaccinations and company contribution towards eye tests and glasses (for computer/laptop users)
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides free and confidential support for employees
• Financial Benefits: including a Pension Scheme with employer pension contributions up to 9%, Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Travel benefits: Season Ticket Loan, Cycle to Work Scheme, Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (for personal use)
• Mentored support towards professional accreditation and annual re-imbursement of relevant Professional Membership Fees and bonus for achievement of professional chartership
• Access to employee retail discount site for high street and on-line shopping.
   

Because of the practical nature of our work, we are particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds in Mechanical Engineering, Gas Engineering, Pipeline Engineering or Chemical Engineering. Experience in pressure systems, process plant, industrial gases, energy infrastructure, experimental facilities, mechanical design, hazardous installations or related industries would be advantageous. We are equally interested in talented engineers with strong fundamentals, curiosity and the potential to develop.

Engineer Level

For engineers at an earlier stage in their careers, the role offers an exceptional opportunity to develop rapidly within a highly capable multidisciplinary team. Working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists, you will gain practical experience in mechanical engineering, gas engineering, pipeline systems, pressure systems, experimental design and project delivery. You will be encouraged to take ownership of your work, broaden your technical knowledge and build the skills needed to progress your career.

Senior Engineer Level

For experienced engineers, the Senior Engineer role offers the opportunity to take on greater responsibility for technical leadership and project delivery. In addition to leading engineering activities, you will provide technical guidance to colleagues, engage directly with clients, help shape new research programmes and contribute to the continued development of Spadeadam’s engineering capability. This is an opportunity to influence major research and testing programmes while working alongside recognised experts in the field.

What We Are Looking For

Above all, we are looking for practical degree-qualified engineers who enjoy solving challenging problems, working collaboratively and translating engineering principles into real-world solutions. You should bring strong engineering fundamentals, sound judgement, curiosity, clear communication and a commitment to delivering high-quality work safely and professionally. For Senior Engineer applicants, chartership, relevant industry experience and evidence of technical or project leadership will also be important.