Product Development Technician

Reporting to Product Development Manager, the company Brigade is a trusted, multi-award-winning global market leader developing innovative vehicle safety systems for commercial vehicles and mobile machinery. Our cutting-edge solutions prevent collisions and save lives.

Our company culture is defined by ACTION, and these values are at its core: We are Aspirational, We are Customer Centric, We are One Team, We Innovate, We Own It, Now. These values serve as guiding principles that shape the culture and behaviour of the organisation, encompassing integrity, innovation, teamwork, customer focus and a commitment to excellence.

Purpose of Role

The primary function of this role will be to support Brigade’s Engineering teams in the research, development and testing of new products and technologies, applying strong knowledge of electronics, interfaces and communications protocols, with automotive and quality awareness. The ideal candidate will have the capability not only to understand testing and evaluation requirements but to think outside the box, to envisage likely scenarios and devise simple but effective test methods to verify product performance under various conditions. The candidate will employ good practices in terms of equipment setup & installations within the workshop and at external test locations, and will possess good fault-finding skills, accompanied by a basic understanding of vehicle electrical systems. Whilst the position is mainly office-based, site visits at locations throughout the UK, and driving of company vehicles will be required to carry out testing and evaluation. Liaison with Brigade’s global suppliers will be necessary from time to time.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out technical product and system testing, evaluation, verification and validation.
• Devise, trial and implement improved test setups, procedures and working methods, to enhance evaluation efficiency and accuracy.
• Support or lead product and documentation changes and updates.

Key Tasks

• Bench marking, testing, evaluation, tear down, troubleshooting, analysis and reporting of new and existing vehicle safety products and technologies.
• Support the execution of trials on Brigade and customer vehicles.
• Electrical and mechanical modification, construction of prototypes and rework of production.
• Participation in project team meetings and other Engineering activities.
• Technical support and training both via telephone / email or off-site for customers and colleagues.

Person Specification

• Experience in working hands-on with electronics, preferably in the automotive industry, resulting in a good understanding of analogue and digital circuits, components, communications & data signals, 12/24V automotive technology and with an appreciation of embedded software.
• Competent in the setup and use of electronic test equipment, DMMs, oscilloscopes, signal generators and others with circuit level fault finding and diagnosis skills in modern electronics circuitry.
• SMD and PTH component soldering skills.
• Familiar with Microsoft 365 suite and standard desktop applications.
• Self-motivated with a practical aptitude and methodical, detail-orientated approach, taking full responsibility for the quality of own work.
• Able to work to deadlines with the flexibility to multi-task and to work beyond normal business hours when required.
• Resourceful and eager to learn with a natural respect for company and colleagues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential.