Senior Connectivity Researcher

At Honda we embrace inclusion in our various policies, so whilst our contracts state that the hours are as required to fulfil the role with a minimum of 37 hours per week, we offer flexibility for when you work.

Whilst there is no contractual right to work from home, the flexibility we offer is that you can request to work from home for a maximum of 40% of the working days in any one month, providing there is no business requirement to attend the office.

Role:
The successful candidate will join the Decentralised Technology Lab (DTL), part of Digital Innovation Research at Honda R&D Europe (UK) Ltd.

DTL conducts applied research for decentralised services, connectivity, and AI, with the objective of translating research outcomes into globally deployable solutions for Honda products, platforms, and services. The team plays an active role in European technology ecosystems, including regulation and standards engagement, and applies a human‑centred design approach aligned with Honda’s global philosophy. Our culture emphasises collaborative innovation, trust, respect, and responsible technology development for societal benefit.

The candidate is expected to lead an applied, delivery‑oriented research into software‑defined, programmable, and interoperable connectivity systems. The role focuses on enabling Honda to influence, adapt, and optimise network behaviour across heterogeneous environments, including next‑generation cellular, Wi‑Fi, satellite, and public/private networks.

Software‑defined connectivity is a key enabler for addressing cost, quality, scalability, and service reliability challenges associated with future mobility and Software‑Defined Vehicle (SDV) platforms. This role bridges research and product delivery, ensuring technologies progress from validation through to production readiness.

The candidate will act as custodian of the in-house research cloud platform used for R&D proof‑of‑concept development; therefore, general cloud computing knowledge, ideally with AWS, is requisite to maintain and evolve the environment.

This role is expected to evolve over time, from applied research into broader digital innovation activities, including the shaping and delivery of new digital services and business concepts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently lead delivery focused research in software defined connectivity from technology validation and testing in the lab and in real world settings
• Conduct sensing and PoC development targeting emerging technologies such as Wi Fi 7, 6G, network APIs, and cloud based integration of connectivity services.
• Translate research outcomes into production relevant architectures documents and proof of concepts, demonstrating both technical feasibility and business value.
• Drive technology maturation and transfer to global product and engineering teams, supporting progression from experimental validation to mass production readiness.
• Own and manage operations of a cloud based proof of concept sandbox environment used to evaluate new digital services and software–hardware integration across Honda assets (e.g. vehicles, electric chargers).
• Actively monitor connectivity technologies, standards, and market developments to shape product relevant use cases and inform research prioritisation.
• Serve as a technical authority and advocate for software defined connectivity, guiding delivery decisions, development approaches, and project direction.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate within DTL and across interdisciplinary Honda teams to integrate connectivity technologies into broader research and product initiatives.
• Manage work packages spanning connectivity research, PoCs, and production transfer.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and outcomes clearly to technical and non technical senior stakeholders in UK and Japan.
• Propose new research activities and PoCs to technical leadership through a bottom up, evidence based approach.
• Coordinate with internal and external research partners, including support for PR events, publications and influencing standards formation related activities.
• Travel internationally to engage with conferences, suppliers, workshops, and collaborators as required.

Qualifications, skills and experience:
Required

• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Networking, Mathematics, or equivalent).
• Proven experience leading or managing large projects and collaborating with research partners.
• Experience working with connectivity technology or network platforms across public and private environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex systems to varied audiences.
• Self‑directed, proactive, and effective in both independent and collaborative settings.
• Practical experience with cloud platforms, API integration, and platform operations, ideally using AWS.
• Hold a valid UK driving license 

Desirable

• Experience of applied research, product or platform development in a commercial context, driven by business or customer needs.
• Automotive or Mobile Network Operator (MNO) platform experience, particularly exposure to production environments.
• Direct technical experience of cloud based solution architecture and/or DevOps  
• Experience applying cloud solution architecture to digital service innovation context
• Post graduate qualification e.g. Masters or PhD in a related field.

Honda is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in the workplace for all employees, temporary workers, contractors, applicants and visitors. Honda also encourages respect for the individual differences and talents of others while making full use of one's own abilities, based on Honda's philosophy of respect for the individual.

At Honda, we value and celebrate diversity and are committed to being a fair, non-discriminatory company that promotes and welcomes the uniqueness and differences of people around the world. We recognise that a diverse workforce allows for different ideas and perspectives, and we encourage everyone to share them. We strive to foster a culture of belonging that is consistent with Honda's core values and lived out in the way we work and respect each other. For us at Honda, diversifying our workforce means increasing its overall strength by providing people with equal opportunities - regardless of personal characteristics or previous careers.

This commitment flows directly from the Honda philosophy and the belief that we are all working towards a common goal. Honda recruits, hires, trains and promotes the most qualified/experienced individuals at all levels without regard to race, origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other protected characteristic.