Senior Innovation Engineer

The Role

As Senior Innovation Engineer within our Device Innovation Team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping next-generation technologies. Reporting to the Head of Device Innovation, you’ll work at the forefront of upstream innovation, exploring breakthrough ideas and collaborating with internal teams and external partners to bring future products to life.

Your expertise will help craft our technology strategy, ensuring it meets evolving consumer needs while safeguarding intellectual property in partnership with our IP specialists. This is your opportunity to influence the future of device innovation and make a tangible impact in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment.

Join a global powerhouse with over 25,000 talented individuals driving progress across the world. As the fourth-largest player in our industry, Imperial Brands is committed to redefining product innovation—and we want you to be part of that journey.

Ready to make your mark? Apply today and help us shape the future of innovation.

Principle Accountabilities

• Drive Cutting-Edge Innovation: Collaborate with a team of engineers to develop breakthrough concepts, validate technologies, and deliver prototypes that shape the future of next-generation products.
• Lead Multiple Technology Investigations: Take ownership of several innovation projects simultaneously exploring new functionalities, solving complex engineering challenges, and pushing boundaries in device development.
• Champion Intellectual Property & Consumer Insights: Document and progress IP submissions in partnership with our IP team, while working closely with Sensory and Consumer Science experts to refine technologies based on real consumer feedback.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve: Monitor competitor IP and industry trends, ideate around existing patents, and provide strategic insights that influence our technology roadmap and keep us competitive.
• Build Strong External Partnerships: Manage relationships with suppliers and third-party partners to access cutting-edge technologies, produce prototypes, and create innovative solutions that accelerate development.
• Mentor & Inspire: Share your expertise by mentoring engineers within the team and across the wider Device function, helping to build internal capabilities and foster a culture of innovation.

Skills and Experience Required

• Curious Innovator: You thrive in research environments where not all answers are known, and you’re excited to explore new possibilities.
• Multi-Project Mastery: Skilled at managing several investigations and research streams simultaneously without losing focus or quality.
• Proven Product Developer: Hands-on experience delivering multiple full lifecycle product developments for Next Generation Products (NGP) devices.
• Creative Problem Solver: Expertise in NGP product development, from generating innovative concepts to tackling complex engineering challenges. You understand patents and can create IP that protects breakthrough ideas.
• Strategic Planner: High-level competence in planning, risk mitigation, and driving R&D projects from ideation through to pre-production.
• Collaborative Leader: A track record of working with suppliers and partners from concept to pre-production, while mentoring engineers and building internal capabilities.

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.  Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.