Principal Research Engineer

Distributed Systems & Industrial AI

Bristol (Hybrid) | Permanent

An advanced technology and research organisation is seeking a Principal Research Engineer/Research Fellow to help shape next-generation distributed data-sharing and industrial AI solutions across sectors including energy, infrastructure and industrial systems.

This role sits within a highly specialised R&D environment focused on applied research, intelligent systems and scalable data-sharing architectures. You'll work across emerging technologies including distributed AI, digital twins, cloud/edge systems and trusted AI frameworks.

You'll operate across:

• Applied R&D
• Distributed systems architecture
• Industrial AI
• Data-sharing infrastructure
• Technical strategy and innovation

Responsibilities include:

• Developing proof-of-concepts and next-generation solutions
• Contributing to externally funded R&D programmes
• Collaborating with industry, academia and international engineering teams
• Supporting patents, publications and strategic technology initiatives

Experience across several of the following:

• Distributed systems/data-sharing platforms
• Industrial AI/edge AI
• Cloud & microservices architecture
• Python, Java & SQL
• PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Spark or similar tooling
• Knowledge graphs/semantic technologies
• RAG, agentic AI or generative AI concepts

Candidates from industrial R&D, advanced engineering or applied AI environments would be particularly relevant.

A PhD is preferred but strong commercial experience is equally valued.

• Work on cutting-edge industrial AI and distributed systems challenges
• Highly collaborative research-driven environment
• Opportunity to influence real-world products and technology strategy
• Strong focus on innovation and emerging technologies
• Hybrid working with Bristol as the preferred base

If you're interested in applied AI, distributed systems and advanced industrial research, this is a rare opportunity to join a genuinely forward-thinking environment.