R&D and Design at Advanced Engineering 2026

The UK Sourcing Hub for Next-Generation Research and Design Engineering Solutions

The R&D and Design Engineering track at Advanced Engineering is a dedicated event zone for product development, engineering simulation and prototype testing. It connects design engineers, R&D managers and validation specialists with solutions for digital twins, CAD and CAE, materials selection, design for manufacture and product certification.

Leading suppliers
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Engineering professionals
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Industry-leading speakers
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R&D and Design Engineering

Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Machinery

Clean Energy and Net Zero

AI, Digitalisation and Automation

People Skills

Government, Regional hubs and Supply Chain

What will I discover in the R&D and Design Engineering track?

Design methods and digital tools

  • Simulation, digital twins and virtual validation to reduce physical testing
  • Materials selection tools and databases that help you make faster, more informed choices
  • Design for manufacturing/assembly approaches that improve collaboration between design and production teams

R&D programmes and prototype demonstrators

  • Reduced development cycles and faster time to certification
  • Collaborative projects bringing together design, manufacturing and testing expertise
  • Examples of teams improving design validation, cutting prototype iterations and managing tighter requirements

Live demonstrations and expert conversations

  • On-stand demos of CAE/CAD tools, test and measurement equipment, and prototyping technologies, not just static displays
  • Discuss your own constraints (tight schedules, certification requirements, material choices) with design engineers, R&D leads and tool providers

Who should attend the R&D and Design Engineering event track?

  • Engineers Design engineers, development engineers, systems engineers
  • Innovation & Engineering Leaders R&D managers, chief engineers, innovation leads
  • Testing, Validation & Certification Professionals Test, validation and certification specialists

This track shows how other teams are using simulation, digital twins, smarter materials selection and design for manufacturing/assembly to shorten development cycles and de-risk programmes,  so you can apply the same methods to your next project.

Attended by the UK’s top R&D and design engineers from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers

Why Product Development & Design experts attend?

  • For your team Strengthening technical skills
  • Align team perspective and expertise
  • Fuel collaboration and problem-solving
  • Tackle complex challenges
  • For you Stay ahead of trends and technologies
  • Gain practical insights you can apply to your projects
  • Build meaningful connections
  • Invest in your professional development
  • Obtain accredited CPD points
  • For your organisation Accelerate Innovation
  • Anticipate Industrial ships
  • Access cross-industrial solutions
  • Build partnerships

Free entry. 400+ exhibitors, 6 CPD forums, live demos and networking lounges, all in one venue.

John Frank

Developer

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John Frank

Developer

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John Frank

Developer

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How can I improve design for manufacture and assembly by attending?

  • Forum sessions Get expert insights for end-to-end design and development solutions: from concept and simulation through to prototyping, validation and certification - with honest lessons learned, not generic sales pitches.
  • Design and development clinics Bring specific challenges (certification timelines, material trade-offs, validation requirements, tooling costs) and discuss options with technical leads, R&D managers and peers.
  • Targeted networking Meet exhibitors showcasing CAE/CAD tools, test and measurement, prototyping and materials services, plus informal conversations with other visitors exploring what's new.

Discover solutions from the UK's leading innovators driving R&D and design engineering

Main Stage

The Main Stage sets the tone for the entire show, addressing the biggest sector changes and trends in engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Key themes include

  • Automation & Robotics
  • Sustainability and Net Zero targets
  • Government and Policy
  • Skills gap

Expect headline speakers, sector leaders and forward-thinking discussions designed to deliver insights that apply across industries and job functions.

Companies and associations taking part include Make UK, Schneider Electric, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Railway Industry Association, and many more. 

Register to be the first to get the show updated

What visitors say

Visitors working in aerospace, defence, motion control and precision engineering tell us they are under pressure to:

Common questions

What is the R&D and Design Engineering event in the UK at Advanced Engineering?

The R&D and Design Engineering track at Advanced Engineering is a dedicated area within the event focused on product development, design engineering and innovation. It covers topics such as rapid prototyping, CAD, CAE, engineering simulation, materials selection and validation, helping visitors explore solutions used across UK manufacturing sectors.

An R&D event in the UK helps design engineers compare tools, suppliers and methods that support faster product development. At the R&D and Design Engineering track, visitors can explore rapid prototyping, low-cost tooling, digital twin workflows, design for manufacture and virtual validation to reduce delays and improve design decisions earlier.

A product development event in the UK typically features technologies and services for prototyping, CAD, CAE and engineering simulation. At Advanced Engineering, the R&D and Design Engineering track brings together suppliers and specialists working in prototype development, design software, virtual testing, materials selection and product certification.

An engineering design event in the UK can be useful for aerospace, automotive and defence teams that need to improve development speed, compliance and technical performance. The R&D and Design Engineering track covers areas such as systems engineering, validation testing, simulation, advanced materials and certification engineering relevant to regulated sectors.

 The R&D and Design Engineering track can be found within the Advanced Engineering UK website as part of the main event content. Visitors should look in the event sections covering show features, zones, conference content or exhibitor categories to find information related to this engineering design event in the UK

You can register for the R&D and Design Engineering event track in the UK by using the registration or visit pages on the Advanced Engineering website. To plan your visit, check event dates, venue details, travel information, opening times and the exhibitor or programme listings for the relevant track content.

Yes, many exhibitors bring technical specialists and engineers who can discuss real-world challenges and applications.

Yes, and this is highly encouraged. Many teams attend as a group from design, manufacturing, quality, procurement and R&D so they can explore different areas of the show.

Yes. Several sessions and solution providers focus on reliability engineering, maintainability, serviceability and designing for the full product lifecycle.

Yes, The Net Zero track will cover suppliers, solutions and conference sessions on topics such as lightweight structures, materials selection and circular design. Following this track, you can discover materials and methods that will help you meet sustainability targets without compromising performance.

Yes, Advanced Engineering’s unmatched value is the opportunity to get hands-on with real technologies. Many exhibitors bring working prototypes, demos and test set-ups so you can see systems and machinery running in real conditions.

Yes, once you are registered, you will have access to the Industrial Connect app, where you will see the list of suppliers and products

When and where is this R&D and Design Engineering event track happening?

Ready to attend? Your ticket is free.

NEC Birmingham · 4–5 November 2026 · Free entry to visit