Senior Test Engineer in Melksham

As a Senior Test Engineer at Avon Protection, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our market‑leading underwater life‑support systems meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and reliability for military users around the world. You will act as a technical authority for test methodologies, shape the way our products are validated, and influence design decisions across the full development lifecycle. This is a hands‑on, technically challenging role where you will lead testing strategy and enhance our test capability. You will have responsibility for ensuring that the Life Support Test Facility is maintained to a high standard, calibrated appropriately, and operated safely and consistently. Your work will directly support product qualification and certification activities, ensuring that mission‑critical equipment is ready for the world's most demanding environments. If you thrive on technical depth, enjoy problem‑solving, and want to contribute to products that protect lives in some of the harshest environments on the planet, this is a highly rewarding opportunity.

What You'll Do

• Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of validation and verification testing for underwater life‑support equipment.
• Develop and maintain robust test strategies, test plans, and procedures to meet performance, safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Serve as the technical authority for test methodologies, ensuring best‑practice approaches are consistently applied.
• Operate, manage, and improve the Life Support Test Facility—ensuring all equipment is correctly maintained, calibrated, and compliant with relevant SOPs.
• Provide technical support to the Electronics Value Stream, including assisting with fault‑finding and troubleshooting on specialised test rigs and instrumentation.
• Produce high‑quality technical documentation, including test reports, data analyses, design‑verification evidence, and certification support materials.
• Work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams—including Design Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Programme Management—to support design iterations, product qualification, and production readiness.
• Identify and drive Continuous Improvement in testing processes, facility capability, data quality, and safety.
• Support audits, reviews, and external approvals related to testing and validation activities.
• Ensure all testing activities comply with industry standards, internal procedures, defence regulations, and applicable health & safety requirements.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or other related engineering field or comparable education and experience.
• Significant experience in a test engineering role within a regulated or safety‑critical environment (e.g., defence, aerospace, diving/life‑support systems, respiratory protection, industrial machinery).
• Strong understanding of physical testing, instrumentation, data acquisition, sensors, and environmental testing techniques.
• Proven ability to plan and execute complex test campaigns, including defining methodologies and analysing results.
• Experience working with technical standards is highly desirable.
• Appreciation of working with high pressure gas systems (up to 300 bar).
• Hands‑on experience with diagnosing equipment faults, maintaining test rigs, or working with electromechanical systems.
• Excellent technical reporting, documentation, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑management skills, able to work cross‑functionally and challenge constructively.
• Proactive, organised, and methodical approach with strong attention to detail.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

About Avon Technologies: We design and produce life-critical personal protection solutions for the world's militaries and first responders. With a portfolio that includes Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear ("CBRN"), protection. We do this through our two brands, Avon Technologies and Team Wendy. Our mission is to provide unparalleled protection for those who protect us, giving them the confidence to tackle challenging situations and helping them get home safe. At Avon Protection, we recognize that our success relies on the collective efforts of our talented team. As an organization, we welcome individuals who embody our #FIERCE company values - fearlessness, integrity, excellence, resilience, collaboration, and the ability to execute.

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Melksham, Wiltshire is £45,000 - £55,000 annually.