Brakes Refinement Engineer
Department: Chassis / Brakes Engineering
Contract Type: Contract 12 months
Location: Gaydon/ Warwickshire
Rate £27.21 per hour inside IR35
The Opportunity
The Brakes Refinement team is responsible for the engineering and delivery of a refined braking system, from pedal input through to the foundation brake, across all vehicle lines. The team ensures braking systems meet customer expectations for performance, comfort, and sound quality.
Key refinement attributes include squeal, judder, creep groan, wheel honk, brake actuation NVH, and EPB sound quality. There is a strong focus on customer satisfaction, supported by the development of efficient programme delivery methods, including the use of virtual tools and the translation of customer requirements into objective, measurable targets.
This role plays a critical part in enhancing the customer experience through the design, development, testing, measurement, and balancing of brake refinement attributes across the client's vehicle portfolio.
Key Performance Indicator
Support the Lead Engineer in delivering brakes refinement customer quality targets for one or more vehicle programmes or platforms in line with programme gateways
Key Responsibilities
Support delivery of all Attribute Requirement targets at each programme gateway
Identify, track, and help resolve technical issues impacting brake refinement performance
Support test and development activities defined in the Design Verification Plan (DVP), including:
Physical and virtual testing
Objective measurement and data analysis
Subjective and visual assessments
Work closely with the Lead Engineer to drive implementation and resolution of engineering solutions
Produce technical recommendations, reports, and presentations
Support competitor and comparator benchmarking, including futuring activities
Undertake additional tasks as directed by the line manager aligned to the role
Key Interfaces
Brakes Refinement Lead Engineer
Brakes Module Leaders
Brakes Design Team
Brakes Performance Team
Suspension System Architecture Team
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential
Knowledge of automotive brake system design
Experience using structured problem‑solving tools, such as:
Root Cause Analysis
8D problem solving
Design of Experiments (DoE)
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), including manufacturing applications
Proven ability to solve complex technical challenges
Relevant engineering degree
Full UK Category B driving licence
Desirable
Ability to identify and understand specifications influencing brake performance and refinement attributes
Experience in NVH analysis
Knowledge of industry‑standard NVH measurement systems (e.g. LMS Test.lab, HEAD Artemis, Prosig)
Proficiency with Microsoft Project, PowerPoint, and Excel
Whole‑vehicle engineering awareness and cross‑functional experience
Some experience using explicit and/or implicit CAE tools, including pre‑ and post‑processing
Personal Profile
Essential
Results‑driven, with the ability to deliver operational plans in a highly demanding environment
Strong ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple tasks
Clear and confident communicator, able to explain complex technical topics
Effective team player who actively supports colleagues
Willing and able to support vehicle test activities in the UK and Europe, typically in 2-3 week test blocks (including Spain, Sweden, and Finland)
Desirable
Resilient, enthusiastic, and able to deliver results under pressure
Experience with vehicle testing and subjective evaluation
Degree‑level education in engineering, ideally MEng