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# Research Engineer - Connectivity & Smart Devices

- **Company:** Centrica
- **Location:** Windsor, UK
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Amazon Web Services, Automation of Tests, Communications Protocols, Computer Programming, Computer Engineering, Linux on Embedded Systems, Internet Protocol, Interoperability, Python (Programming Language), Modbus, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Raspberry Pi, Smart Devices, Software Engineering, Rust (Programming Language), PIC Microcontroller, Connectivity Problems, Information Technology, Azure IoT
- **Published:** October 16, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.totaljobs.com/job/research-engineer/centrica-chp-job108198098

## About the Role

A curious and practical research engineer with strong foundations in networking, programming and connected devices, and a genuine interest in applying these capabilities to the energy transition, * Good knowledge of computer networking and Internet protocols

 * Programming experience in any of Python, Rust, C/C++ or another relevant systems or embedded language

 * Hands-on experience with Raspberry Pi, embedded Linux, microcontrollers or similar platforms

 * Knowledge of device communication protocols and integration patterns

 * Ability to troubleshoot hardware, software and connectivity problems

 * Understanding of connected-device cybersecurity

 * Experience conducting structured technical investigations or experimental engineering

 * Ability to communicate technical findings clearly through reports, presentations and demonstrations

 * Interest in smart energy devices, distributed energy resources, flexibility and the digitalisation of energy systems

Nice to Have:

 * Experience with electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, smart meters, battery systems, solar inverters or home energy-management technologies

 * Knowledge of energy-sector interoperability standards such as OCPP, OpenADR, EEBUS, SAREF, IEC 61850, IEEE 2030.5 etc

 * Knowledge of AWS or Azure IoT and edge-computing services

 * Experience working with external research partners, standards organisations or collaborative innovation programmes

 * Publications, patents, conference presentations or open-source contributions

Education and Background:

 * A degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, Embedded Systems, Energy Systems or a related subject, or equivalent professional experience

 * A relevant Master's degree is desirable but not essential

 * A relevant PhD is advantageous, but not mandatory. Equivalent industrial research, product-development or experimental-engineering experience will be equally valued

## Description

We are looking for a curious and hands-on Research Engineer - Connectivity & Smart Devices to investigate how connected devices, communication protocols and interoperability standards can support the energy transition.

You will research, evaluate and prototype connectivity solutions for smart energy devices, including electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, batteries, smart meters, home energy systems, sensors and edge gateways. You will work with researchers, architects, software engineers, technicians and external partners to turn emerging technologies into practical experiments, demonstrators and clear technical recommendations.

What You'll Be Doing

Research and Evaluation:

 * Research emerging connectivity technologies, communication protocols and interoperability standards

 * Design and undertake technical experiments to evaluate performance, reliability, scalability, security and suitability for energy applications

 * Translate experimental findings into clear recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders

Prototyping:

 * Build proof-of-concept systems using Raspberry Pi, embedded Linux, microcontrollers, edge gateways and smart energy devices

 * Develop software for device communication, protocol integration, device simulation, data acquisition and automated testing

 * Connect physical devices to edge and cloud platforms to demonstrate end-to-end energy use cases

Connectivity and Interoperability:

 * Investigate how heterogeneous devices and platforms can communicate securely and consistently

 * Evaluate IoT and energy protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, Modbus, Matter, Thread, OCPP, OpenADR, EEBUS, DLMS/COSEM and IEC 61850

 * Contribute to reference architectures, interface definitions, test approaches and reusable research assets

Collaboration and Communication:

 * Work with multidisciplinary teams across Energised Futures and Centrica
 * Collaborate with universities, technology companies, research organisations and standards communities

 * Produce technical reports, research papers, presentations and demonstrator documentation

 * Contribute to publications, conferences and industry engagement where appropriate