R&D Test Engineer in England

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented R&D Test Engineer to join our Research & Development team. The core purpose of this role is to plan, execute, and continuously improve testing on R&D instruments and sub-systems, ensuring performance is understood, evidenced, and communicated clearly back to the engineering teams. You will work hands‑on with development instruments, collaborating closely with R&D Engineers and R&D Technicians to diagnose issues, propose practical solutions, and drive learning through structured experimentation. The ideal candidate is confident running tests independently, rigorous in data capture, and comfortable translating results into actionable feedback for design and systems teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute test activities on R&D instruments, modules, and assemblies, including functional, performance, reliability/life, and verification testing.
• Author, maintain, and follow test procedures (test methods, setups, acceptance criteria, and reporting formats) to ensure repeatable, auditable results.
• Build and validate test setups (fixtures, rigs, software tools, instrumentation) and ensure test equipment is suitable and controlled (e.g., calibration status where applicable).
• Record, analyse, and interpret data using appropriate methods (spreadsheets, structured logs, basic statistics/plots), ensuring traceability from test objective → evidence → conclusion.
• Communicate findings clearly through test reports, presentations, and engineering updates, highlighting pass/fail status, trends, risks, and recommended next actions.
• Problem‑solve alongside R&D technicians and engineers: triage failures, isolate root causes (or most‑likely causes), run investigative experiments, and feed learning back into design changes or process updates.
• Support coordination of test schedules with instrument availability, build activities, and engineering priorities to meet project deadlines; escalate blockers and propose practical workarounds.
• Drive continuous improvement in test efficiency, robustness, and knowledge capture (templates, checklists, standard setups, lessons learned).
• Promote safe working and good laboratory practice, ensuring risk awareness and adherence to relevant internal policies and procedures.

Role Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to write clear test procedures and execute them with discipline and repeatability.
• Strong attention to detail with a structured approach to data capture, version control of results, and reporting.
• Practical problem‑solving mindset: able to break down ambiguous technical issues into testable hypotheses and next steps.
• Confident communicator — able to present results to engineering audiences and translate technical outcomes into decisions/recommendations.
• Comfortable working hands‑on with precision assemblies and instruments in a dynamic R&D environment, balancing pace with rigour.

Experience / Qualifications

• Degree/HND (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Experience in test engineering / validation / verification of complex equipment (instruments, automation, precision mechanisms, measurement systems, or similar).
• Experience producing test reports and communicating outcomes to stakeholders.
• Experience in precision engineering, metrology, optics, lasers, interferometers, motion systems, or ultra‑high‑accuracy instrumentation environments.
• Familiarity with structured problem‑solving tools (e.g., 5‑Why, Ishikawa, basic FMEA concepts) and good experimental practice (DOE‑lite thinking).
• Basic experience with CAD software, preferably Solidworks and PDM systems like Solidworks Manage/Windchill or similar.
• Basic knowledge of fiber handling and DFB laser systems.
• Ability to create small utilities/macros/scripts for test automation or data processing (e.g., Excel automation, Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB) — depending on what you use internally.

Required Skills

• Test planning and execution – ability to run structured tests on complex systems.
• Understanding of mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Use of test equipment and instrumentation (setup, operation, validation).
• Reading and interpreting technical documentation (drawings, schematics, work instructions).
• Data collection and analysis (capturing results clearly and consistently).
• Basic understanding of system performance and validation principles.
• Familiarity with calibration and measurement practices (where applicable to metrology).
• Mechanical / Electrical assembly (desirable).