Principal Engineer – Automotive Damageability

Principal Engineer – Automotive Damageability | Circa £75,500+ excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid

Thatcham Research is looking for a Principal Engineer – Automotive Damageability to serve as our technical authority in vehicle damage performance risk and insurance-related vehicle assessment. In this strategic role, you’ll lead the development of methodologies that help us understand and quantify how vehicles perform in real-world low speed damage events, and what this means for vehicle insurability and customer outcomes. Through innovative research, you'll identify the risk affecting factors that influence damage frequency and severity, translating complex technical evidence into industry guidance and helping vehicle manufacturers and motor insurers make informed decisions that improve vehicle design, and total cost of ownership.

As the Principal Engineer – Automotive Damageability, you'll:

• Lead Thatcham Research’s approach to understanding, assessing and quantifying vehicle damage risk.

• Define the metrics and assessment frameworks needed to evaluate vehicle damage performance consistently.

• Translate vehicle damage-risk insights into insurance implications, including damage likelihood and extent.

• Act as Thatcham Research’s external technical authority in this field, representing the organisation with insurers, manufacturers, suppliers, industry bodies, working groups and standards organisations.

• Collaborate with specialists across safety, security, repair, data, operations, product and marketing.

• Support the development of scalable damageability assessment methods, risk insights, analytical models and industry services.

Skills & experience that will set you up for success in this role:

• Significant experience in vehicle engineering, crash performance, body structure engineering, insurance engineering or vehicle damage assessment.

• Strong knowledge of vehicle structures, materials, mechanical and electromechanical systems, including emerging technologies and vehicle architectures.

• Proven ability to lead technically complex research projects and establish robust, evidence-based approaches.

• Ability to communicate complex engineering findings clearly to technical, insurance and non-technical audiences.

• Credibility and confidence when engaging with senior technical and industry stakeholders.

• Ability to interpret CAD data, technical drawings, wiring diagrams and engineering documentation.

• Awareness of how vehicle damage characteristics influence downstream repair and insurance outcomes.

• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.

• A degree or equivalent professional experience in engineering or another relevant discipline.

Did you know...

Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don't apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities.

We know the perfect candidate doesn't exist! If you think you have what it takes but don't tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply - it could be a perfect fit!

Perks & Benefits

Salary - Circa £75,500 negotiable dependent on skills & experience.

• 10% non-contributory pension

• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays

• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)

• Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)

• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)

• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure

• Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform

• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)

• Benenden Health Care (opt-in benefit)

• Reward & Recognition Programme

• Discounted gym membership

• Sports & Social club

• Payroll charitable giving

• Subsidised on-site restaurant

• Free on-site parking

When we work

Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45 (Talk to us about flexible working if this doesn’t quite suit you – we take work-life balance seriously!)

How we work

We understand the benefits of remote and in-person collaboration and therefore have a hybrid working model – you’ll be expected to work from our office in Thatcham at least two days per week.

What we do

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry.

Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

Our Values

As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change.

Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging.

Recruitment process

We’re proud to manage our recruitment in-house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.

What can you expect from our recruitment process?

• Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application

• An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner

• First intervie