Ground Trials Engineer (EMC & Environmental)
Location: Stevenage
Salary: £45,000 - £57,000 depending on experience, plus bonus, overtime & benefits
A leading UK defence organisation is bolstering its Ground Trials Engineer team to support critical sustainment programmes for advanced missile systems. This Ground Trials Engineer role offers hands-on ownership of environmental and EMC test campaigns, ensuring operational capability for front-line air defence assets in a collaborative, high-impact team environment.
The Role
As a Ground Trials Engineer, you’ll plan, document, and execute ground-based proving activities for missile systems, focusing on EMC and environmental domains. Collaborating with systems, design, and environmental engineering teams, you’ll deliver robust test programmes that underpin obsolescence management and in-service support for key defence programmes like the CAMM family.
What you will be doing
* Developing detailed test plans and programmes for environmental (vibration, thermal, shock) and EMC proving activities.
* Creating trials documentation, supporting test execution, and producing accurate reports for programme milestones.
* Liaising with cross-functional teams to align test scopes, resolve issues, and ensure compliance with defence standards.
* Contributing to obsolescence-driven sustainment work, including facility planning and progress reporting.
* Supporting wider ground trials activities under the Ground Trials Manager to meet tight programme deadlines.
What we are looking for
* Engineering background (degree or equivalent) with hands-on experience in environmental testing, EMC qualification, or systems proving in defence, aerospace, or high-reliability sectors.
* Strong documentation skills for test plans, procedures, and reports, plus clear communication for stakeholder updates.
* Proven ability to work in dynamic, multi-disciplinary project environments with a problem-solving mindset.
* Experience with test standards (e.g., DEF STAN, MIL-STD-461, DO-160) or similar qualification processes is highly desirable.
* Flexible team player comfortable with hybrid working and on-site spikes during test campaigns.
* Prior exposure to missile systems, air defence, or ground trials would be advantageous.
What’s on offer
* Competitive salary £45,000–£57,000 based on experience.
* Company bonus up to £2,500, pension up to 14% total contribution, and paid overtime opportunities.
* Flexi leave (up to 15 extra days), hybrid/dynamic working, and enhanced parental leave benefits.
* Excellent site facilities, healthcare cash plan, and career growth in a flagship missile programme.
Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be British Citizens or dual UK nationals with British citizenship, eligible for BPSS and security vetting.
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