The Engineering Industry Labour Report 2025

The Engineering Industry Labour Report 2025

Specialist Engineering Recruitment

Read the 2025 Engineering Labour Report

With one in five senior professionals planning to retire in the next five years, where should UK engineering recruiters look next? Learn more about the most desirable verticals, the impacts of IR35, and the factors that really motivate the workforce. Hear from more than 3,000 UK engineers in our latest findings.

Download the 2025 Engineering Labour Report

About our engineering recruitment.

The Engineering team at Murray McIntosh specialises in delivering recruitment solutions for SMEs inindustries such as defence, marine, and manufacturing across the UK. We focus on critical engineering roles - ranging from Electrical and Electronics Engineers to Embedded, Control Systems, Design, Mechanical, Systems, and Project Engineers - where skills are niche.

Our mission is to make recruitment efficient, agile, and reliable. We combine deep sector knowledge with a research-led, advisory approach to workforce planning, giving clients access to top-tier and often passive talent that is otherwise hard to reach. We understand the context of each role, the challenges of security clearance, and the nuances of project-based work, ensuring we make precise, well-judged introductions that drive long-term success.

Beyond simply filling roles, we work as a trusted business partner. Our consultants maintain active networks, stay ahead of industry developments, and provide considered guidance on issues such as IR35, retention, and market trends. This allows us to deliver recruitment that is relevant, measured, and directly aligned to our clients’ operational and strategic objectives.

"Chris’ first-hand experience undoubtedly allowed him to understand the requirements of the engineering roles at JCB. This pace of recruitment support is greatly appreciated.”

Matthew Round - Principal Systems Engineer at JCB Power Systems

Read more testimonials
Bowman Power Solutions Logo
Metrasens Logo
Penlon Logo
Judges Scientific PLC logo
Carron Logo
Howorth Air Tech
Silicon Microgravity
Science Group Logo
Cohort PLC Logo
Cygnus Systems Logo
RWC Logo
Spirax Group Logo

Learn more about our engineering hiring services

Contract Recruitment & Management

Quickly source experienced contractors while transferring all management responsibilities and risks to us, ensuring PAYE and NIC obligations are handled accurately and efficiently.

Learn more

Permanent Recruitment

Quickly secure the right permanent hires while we manage the recruitment process end-to-end, ensuring a seamless and compliant hiring experience.

Learn more

Hiring Advice & Insights

We provide unmatched hiring insights and recruitment advice, drawing on our reports, day-to-day conversations, event participation, and strong industry partnerships.

Learn more

Your next engineer hire starts here

Fill in the form to get in touch.

Live vacancies in the UK engineering sector

Murray McIntosh

Contract

Chemical Engineer

£40-£55 per hourCambridge

Skills & experience required: - Chemical engineering experience - Ability to devise experiments to prove a principle - Ability to design and/or build/test a rig - Previous product development experience advantageous - Previous experience of handing over proven principle to engineers to make a product advantageous - R&D / Scientific background would be advantageous - Current or ability to be BPSS cleared as a min

Chris Nelson avatar
Chris Nelson

Murray McIntosh

Permanent

RF Microwave Technician

£26,000-£36,000 per annumStevenage

Murray McIntosh are currently seeking an RF / Microwave Technician to start work for a key client of ours.

Will Selby avatar
Will Selby

Murray McIntosh

Permanent

Compliance Manager

£60,000-£72,000 per annumTewkesbury

Murray McIntosh are currently seeking a Product Compliance & Security Accreditation Manager to start work for a key client of ours.

Will Selby avatar
Will Selby

Murray McIntosh

Contract

Project Manager

£400-£500 per DailyBideford

Responsibilities & experience required: * Engineering project management experience * Experience of expediting, leading and driving forward projects * Experience of critical design reviews, critical path analysis and work breakdown structures preferred * APM PMQ qualification preferred but mot essential * Marine / Defence / Naval background preferred * Excellent knowledge and application of project controls in complex projects * Strong problem-solving ability * Excellent communicator and

Chris Nelson avatar
Chris Nelson

Murray McIntosh

Permanent

Principal Engineer

£60,000-£65,000 per annum

Murray McIntosh are searching for a Principal Engineer to join a key client of ours on a permanent basis.

Will Selby avatar
Will Selby

Helpful resources for the UK engineering sector

Photo for JCB Power Systems Case Study

JCB Power Systems

This JCB case study is a testament to how Engineering by Murray recruitment supported JCB in delivering the first hydrogen motor in the industry.

Photo of Chris Nelson
Chris Nelson
Nov 12, 2024
Photo for Ontic Case Study

Ontic

Chris delivered a mixture of contract and permanent solutions for us against two roles that had been open for an extensive period of time.

Photo of Chris Nelson
Chris Nelson
Nov 07, 2024