Engineering & Technical Recruitment in Derby
Derby is one of the UK's most engineering-intensive cities, home to Rolls-Royce's global civil aerospace headquarters, Bombardier Transportation's rail vehicle manufacturing facility, and Toyota's UK car manufacturing plant at Burnaston just outside the city. This concentration of tier-one aerospace, rail, and automotive engineering means Derby has one of the highest proportions of engineering employment of any UK city, alongside a deep and technically skilled supply chain across Derbyshire.
The Derby engineering market
Rolls-Royce's Sinfin campus is the defining employer in Derby's engineering market. The site develops and produces civil, defence, and marine gas turbine engines, employing aerothermal, stress, systems, and manufacturing engineers across the full product lifecycle. Rolls-Royce's graduate intake and apprenticeship programmes feed a regional talent pipeline that the supply chain also draws from. Bombardier's Litchurch Lane facility produces rolling stock for UK rail operators, requiring mechanical, electrical, and production engineering. Toyota at Burnaston employs manufacturing and quality engineers across two production lines.
Aerospace engineering salaries in Derby are among the highest in the Midlands. Graduate engineers at Rolls-Royce start at £30,000 to £34,000. Experienced aerothermal, structures, or systems engineers earn £48,000 to £68,000. Principal engineers and technical fellows achieve £70,000 to £95,000. Contract day rates for aerospace engineers run £400 to £600, rising to £700-plus for specialist disciplines.
Key employers
Rolls-Royce, Bombardier Transportation, and Toyota Burnaston form the primary employment pillars, supported by a tier-one and tier-two supply chain including Meggitt, GKN Aerospace, Pattonair, and numerous precision machining, composites, and testing businesses across the Derby and Derbyshire area.
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Sectors
What we recruit for in Derby
Engineering
Mechanical, electrical, design, and systems engineering talent across the UK.
Manufacturing
Production, operations, and process expertise from shop floor to boardroom.
Construction
Site, civils, and building professionals delivering UK infrastructure.
Property Services
Surveying, facilities, and property management professionals.
Technical Sales
Sales engineers and business developers who understand the product.
Executive & Leadership
C-suite, directors, and senior leaders shaping engineering and technical businesses.
Recruiting in Derby
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