Job Title: Senior Test Engineer
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
An established engineering organisation specialising in life-critical protection systems is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to join its team in Melksham.
As a Senior Test Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that advanced underwater life-support systems meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and reliability for defence and specialist users worldwide. You will act as a technical authority for test methodologies, shape validation strategies, and influence design decisions across the full product development lifecycle.
This is a hands-on, technically challenging position where you will lead testing strategy and enhance overall test capability. You will take responsibility for maintaining and developing a dedicated Life Support Test Facility, ensuring equipment is calibrated, compliant, and operated safely and consistently. Your work will directly support product qualification and certification activities, helping ensure mission-critical equipment performs in the most demanding environments.
If you thrive on technical depth, enjoy solving complex engineering challenges, and want to contribute to products that protect lives in extreme conditions, this is a highly rewarding opportunity.
What You’ll Do
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Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of validation and verification testing for underwater life-support equipment.
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Develop and maintain robust test strategies, plans, and procedures to meet performance, safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.
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Act as the technical authority for test methodologies, ensuring best practice is consistently applied.
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Operate, manage, and improve the Life Support Test Facility—ensuring equipment is maintained, calibrated, and compliant with relevant procedures.
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Provide technical support to electronics and systems engineering teams, assisting with fault-finding and troubleshooting on specialised test rigs and instrumentation.
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Produce high-quality technical documentation, including test reports, data analysis, verification evidence, and certification support materials.
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Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Design Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Programme Management to support design iterations, qualification, and production readiness.
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Drive continuous improvement in testing processes, facility capability, data quality, and safety standards.
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Support audits, reviews, and external approvals relating to testing and validation.
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Ensure all testing activities comply with industry standards, internal procedures, defence regulations, and health & safety requirements.
What You Bring
Education:
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Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
Experience & Skills:
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Significant experience in a test engineering role within a regulated or safety-critical environment (e.g., defence, aerospace, life-support systems, respiratory protection, industrial machinery).
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Strong understanding of physical testing, instrumentation, data acquisition, sensors, and environmental testing techniques.
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Proven ability to plan and execute complex test programmes, define methodologies, and analyse results.
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Experience working with technical and regulatory standards.
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Appreciation of working with high-pressure gas systems (up to 300 bar).
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Hands-on experience diagnosing equipment faults, maintaining test rigs, or working with electromechanical systems.
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Excellent technical reporting, analytical, and documentation skills.
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Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities, with the confidence to challenge constructively.
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Proactive, organised, and methodical approach with strong attention to detail.
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Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement