Business Development Manager

Description:

We are seeking a Business Development Manager to join our Advanced Manufacturing & Materials team. This role is well suited to someone who is building their career in engineering, science or technical commercial roles, and is looking for an environment that supports professional growth and offers a chance to make meaningful national impact.

Every day will bring variety and the chance to work with innovative engineering and manufacturing organisations. You’ll help them understand how NPL’s scientific capabilities can unlock new technologies, improve performance, derisk investment and accelerate innovation.

You will:
 

• • Build trusted relationships across industry, academia and government, ensuring stakeholders feel valued and supported.
  • Develop a deep understanding of NPL’s scientific and engineering capabilities to identify impactful opportunities.
  • Work with researchers to shape collaborative projects, commercial engagements and innovation led programmes.
  • Represent NPL at industry events, technical meetings and customer sites.
  • Contribute to a culture that values collaboration, respect and professional development.

Expected Outcomes

In this role, you will be expected to:
 

• • Create and secure opportunities that enable NPL to deliver direct impact with industry—ranging from commercial projects to strategic technical partnerships.
  • Develop collaborative R&D consortia that secure competitive grant funding (e.g., Innovate UK, DSIT, defence innovation schemes), ensuring NPL plays a central role in national industrial innovation programmes.
  • Grow NPL’s presence and influence across advanced manufacturing, engineering and digital/Industry 4.0 sectors.
  • Support the development of new customer offerings, commercial models and capability strategies aligned with national priorities.
  • Ensure that all interactions reflect NPL’s reputation for excellence, scientific integrity and trusted partnership.

About You
 

• Essential

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in an engineering, science or technology discipline.
• Experience working in a technical, engineering or manufacturing environment, with exposure to varied tasks and problem solving.
• Confidence and clarity in communicating with engineers, scientists and decision makers.
• A strong interest in science, engineering and innovation, with the ability to understand and articulate technical concepts.
• Ability and willingness to travel within the UK.
• Eligibility for UK Security Clearance.

Desirable
 

• Background in Manufacturing Engineering, production engineering, process development or similar technical roles.
• Experience of business development, technical engagement, consulting or innovation driven environments.
• Understanding of the UK industrial landscape in areas such as advanced manufacturing, materials, digital engineering and industrial automation.