We're seeking a highly motivated person with excellent practical and design skills to join the Conservation Science Technical team. Collaborating closely with other scientists and colleagues across RSPB and a wide array of conservation organisations, you'll have opportunity to develop field equipment from the conceptual phase to its field deployment for the conservation of threatened species and habitats throughout the UK and overseas.

What's the role about?

You will be part of a small, friendly team of staff and volunteers that design, develop, assemble, maintain and issue the equipment used to support practical conservation research across the UK and internationally. Technology has underpinned much of what the RSPB has achieved and contributed significantly to our knowledge and the protection of many of our priority species. The role will provide leadership on procuring and maintaining RSPB’s stock of equipment used to support our conservation science, and in the running of the workshop at our HQ.

The role will also involve considerable scope to collaborate with a wide range of technical innovators, scientists and conservation practitioners to develop and implement cutting-edge technologies that make a positive impact for nature. You will contribute to the electronic and engineering design, development and build of new tracking and monitoring innovations across multiple projects. Bringing technical expertise in engineering, electronics and programming to adapt commercially available equipment and components to deliver new technologies for RSPB’s science and conservation work and be keen to further develop your skills to help deliver practical conservation science.

You will possess exceptional organisational skills to manage our workshop and stock of technical equipment, experience of design, build and testing of equipment, an ability to assess the suitability of a range of technology / equipment for current or future conservation projects. As equipment frequently needs to record critical time-bound events, you must be meticulous, organised and capable of working to fixed deadlines.

This role will involve Hybrid working with around 3 days at HQ, (Sandy - Bedfordshire) per week.

What we need from you

Essential:

Ability to organise the day-to-day running of a workshop and the procurement, maintenance and issue of technical equipment, often to tight deadlines, for time-bound science projectsAbility to plan and organise own work schedules, and those of volunteersGood IT skills, and familiarity with a variety of Microsoft products (e.g. Word, Excel, SharePoint)Ability to produce written guidance and best practice information to guide users of conservation technologyGood practical skills to design and build equipment that will be required to perform in harsh environmentsGood knowledge of Electronic EngineeringExcellent electronic bench skills - ability to solder miniature PCB’s and manufacture custom equipmentProgramming experience/knowledge with development boards such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi to develop field equipment at scale

Desirable:

Interest in / knowledge of ecology and conservation issues, and application of technology to answering conservation science questionsExcellent communicator - an ability to clearly articulate your work to a technical audience, across the organisation and to the public at meetings and conferencesA team worker who is happy to support students and others in RSPB in electronics and to manage volunteers who work as part of the technical team.Willingness to undertaken occasional field visits to provide advice to, and learn from, those who are using technology to further conservation sciencePractical use of databases, for the purpose of logging scientific equipment (Microsoft Access)
Good fault-finding capability - ability to identify connection breaks, water damage, component failureExperience of CAD to produce custom PCB’s and 3D prints.Knowledge of the latest wireless technologiesStrong research and innovation knowledge. Seeking out pre-existing designs and assessing where they could be modified and/or improved to meet the RSPB’s specific requirementsQualification in relevant subject HND/Degree level

Additional Information

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing October 20th 2025. 

For further information please contact nigel.butcher@rspb.org.uk

As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form.There will be a cover letter section of the form where you can explain how you meet the criteria set above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.