Research Engineer - Process Chemistry & Scale Up
On-site / Hybrid considered | Salary £26,000 - £34,000 per annum

About 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.