Automotive Repair Engineer | Circa £45,000 negotiable + excellent benefits | Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid 

We’re hiring!

Thatcham Research is seeking an experienced Automotive Repair Engineer to join the Research & Operations function working within the Insurability team. The Insurability team develops vehicle assessments to inform the insurance and repair industry of risks associated with safety, security, and sustainable repair.

In this role, you will deliver vehicle insurability assessments, focusing on ease of repair, spare parts availability, and the impact on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) across all our operational areas to inform new Thatcham products. You will utilize your experience and technical knowledge of repair industry trends, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and assist with external communication and relationship-building efforts.

If you are ready to drive innovation and excellence in automotive repair, we want to hear from you!

As our new Automotive Repair Engineer, you’ll be responsible for:

• Implementing the insurability assessment methodology across all our operational areas, including repair information, vehicle damageability, and spare parts.
• Offering technical expertise on the repair industry to the research programs, particularly regarding how new technologies affect insurability risk. This includes attributes, scoring, and key elements of a repair strategy that impact vehicle insurability.
• Leading continuous improvement activities for insurability assessments to ensure they stay relevant, efficient, and aligned with global best practices.
• Representing Thatcham Research in external engagements as a repair technical subject matter expert, communicator, and relationship builder.
• Identify, build, and maintain key relationships both internally and externally.
• Align industry understanding and international market standards to support member value.

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

• Degree qualified engineer or 3 years equivalent demonstrable experience in the automotive sector.
• Significant experience working as a technician or engineer in the automotive accident repair sector, or other engineering roles in the Insurance business.
• General knowledge and experience of repair methods, times and techniques, and their implementation both in approved and independent networks.
• Good understanding of repair equipment, suppliers and repair processes (Body, MET and Paint).
• Critical thinking, with the ability to understand, analyse and breakdown complex technical information

Desirable skills:
These are desirable skills or experience and are not essential, so we would welcome applications from candidates that do not match these additional criteria. 

• Good understanding of modern Vehicle technologies and construction.
• Good understanding of Claims workflow and Vehicle Damage Assessments as it pertains to vehicle repair.
• Ability to successfully apply knowledge to execute engineering projects, identifying and using relevant established technologies and methods.
• High level of interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to motivate individuals and teams.
• Author specifications and research reports for external publication.
• Competent in use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Automotive Technician Accreditation – VDA, or Automotive Technician Accreditation – MET, or Automotive Technician Accreditation – Panel.

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 £45,000 negotiable dependent on skills & experience.

• 10% non-contributory pension
• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays
• Group Life Assurance (equal to 3 x basic salary)
• Group Income Protection (after 2 years’ service)
• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work & tech scheme)
• Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
• 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 active safety track site is one of the leading accredited Euro NCAP testing facilities, trialling and assessing the very latest developments in vehicle safety and 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 membership in the Automotive 30% Club, 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 our Recruitment Business Partner
• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams
• Second/Final interview, in-person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)
• Personalised feedback following your interview – because everyone deserves that!
• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above

We’re committed to removing invisible barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.

All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.