Missile Test Architect Test Equipment & Systems (Defence) Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester Sector: Defence / Advanced Manufacturing
As a trusted partner to the UK Ministry of Defence, our client is seeking an experienced Missile Test Architect to support the delivery of advanced missile systems. This role is ideal for accomplished test equipment engineers ready to progress into system and sub-system leadership, influencing complex programmes from concept through in-service support.
You will own the end-to-end test equipment strategy, shaping test architectures, managing requirements, and overseeing development through delivery and operational use. Reporting to the Chief Design Engineer, you will act as the technical authority within multidisciplinary engineering teams, helping define built-in test capability, production testing requirements, and the specification and delivery of missile test equipment.
Key Responsibilities Define and implement the overall project test strategy
Define and implement Built-In Test (BIT) architecture, including coverage requirements, timings, and system-level routines
Specify missile factory pass-out testing to ensure correct build and support manufacturing with effective test stages
Define in-service test routines for missile systems
Generate and manage compliance to lower-level test requirements for design teams, including:
Test access requirements
BIT coverage and timings
Factory test functionality
Analyse and model systems to understand test coverage and generate diagnostic instructions
Propose and recommend cost versus test-coverage trade-offs in collaboration with the Chief Design Engineer
Produce, maintain, and deliver plans for activities within your area of responsibility
Provide technical leadership across internal teams and sub-contracted activities
Skills & Experience Essential Degree qualified in Electrical, Electronic, or Test Engineering or equivalent industry experience
Substantial experience in test equipment, test systems, or test architecture
Strong technical background in: Digital electronics and microprocessor-based systems
Analogue electronics
Power electronics
Proven experience in test equipment design
Experience using DOORS for requirements management
Ability to operate as a technical authority within complex engineering programmes
Desirable Experience within defence, aerospace, or other highly regulated engineering environments
Exposure to system-level or sub-system leadership roles
Understanding of production and in-service test strategies
Key Competencies Good understanding of project management, planning, cost, and budget control
Ability to manage diverse and sometimes conflicting stakeholder requirements
Strong influencing skills with engineers, managers, and senior stakeholders
Capability to technically manage internal teams and external suppliers
Determination, resilience, and a strong drive to deliver
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by our clients Security Team.
More about the role: For more than 70 years, our client has been in a strong partnership with the UK military. They have accomplished numerous milestones in defence engineering and have provided essential defence capabilities to meet the requirements of the armed forces across land, sea, and air.
This job is at our client's site in Bolton facility, one of the North West's leading manufacturing sites for at least 25 years. The facility offers showers and bike racks and is near the motorway, with a petrol station outside. Amenities like an onsite canteen.
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