British Gypsum
Senior R&D Lead- Building Systems
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Senior R&D Lead- Building Systems
Senior R&D Lead – Building Systems
About the Role
At Saint-Gobain, we are looking for a Senior R&D Lead - Building Systems to join our Central Innovation R&D centre in East Leake, helping deliver innovative building systems and solutions focused on transforming construction markets worldwide.
This role sits within our central innovation function, specialising in evaluating how products and systems perform in real-world building applications. You’ll collaborate closely with customers, internal project teams, and global stakeholders to:
- Develop technical system knowledge
- Support full-scale testing programmes
- Identify cutting-edge solutions to complex construction and performance challenges
Ideal candidates possess a higher scientific, civil engineering, or building systems background with an enthusiasm for marrying technical expertise, customer intimacy, and hands-on problem-solving in a collaborative R&D environment.
As a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain produces high-performance materials and services to enhance daily life while fostering better living spaces globally. This position is based in East Leake with a 5-day per week commitment and 20% travel.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support full-scale system testing programmes, including a rigorous evaluation of performance and innovation potentials.
- Engage with customers, project teams, and international stakeholders to clarify technical requirements and address system challenges.
- Provide Market-leading technical insights around building systems, structural performance, and product application in construction contexts.
- Support and advance global certification processes related to product compliance and approval.
- Streamline technical activities, translating testing findings and project progress into actionable intelligence for R&D and wider commercial teams.
- Develop future-forward system solutions that drive improvements in performance, compliance, and customer value.
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Qualifications & Experience
-
A degree or higher degree in:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- or a related engineering/science discipline
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Relevant professional experience in one or more of the following:
- Building systems development
- Technical engineering or R&D environments (preferably construction-focused)
- Structural calculations and understanding of system-level performance
- Principles of product integration within real building applications
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Proven ability to:
- Create and interpret technical drawings/detailed specifications (using CAD and other technical tools).
- Navigate relevant normative frameworks, standards, and technical documentation.
- Manage testing programmes, assess results, and communicate them effectively to cross-functional stakeholders.
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Core Skills
- Frontline communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to:
- Understand customer needs and pain points.
- Translate those needs into technical solutions that drive meaningful impact.
- Through and practical problem-solving mindset.
- Ability to synthesise complex technical information for diverse audiences.
About Us
Saint-Gobain is distinctly inclusive—our diverse teams foster better decision-making, greater innovation, and a vibrant work culture.
Making the World a Better Home
We seek every stakeholder to bring their unique attributes to our purpose: "Inventing a more sustainable world". Our higher purpose propels us to think differently—because building matters.
Consider work free of assumptions. We’ll always discuss flexible working arrangements to accommodate your personal needs, even if we can’t (yet) fulfill every proposal. Transparency and consideration come first.
Are you ready to build solutions that make a difference? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and share what makes you uniquely suited to this leading role.
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