Manufacturing Test Engineer in Woking

Manufacturing Test Engineer in Woking

Woking Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Defence

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support testing and diagnostics of cutting-edge electrical systems in a collaborative team.
  • Company: Join a top European defence innovation leader with a fantastic workplace culture.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, extensive training, and clear career progression opportunities.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with strong support for personal and professional development.
  • Why this job: Be part of a growing team influencing advanced innovations in a secure environment.
  • Qualifications: Level 4 qualification in Engineering, Physics or Maths; experience in manufacturing preferred.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

The company is a multi-national group, being No 1 in Europe for what they do! Important: All applicants must be able to obtain Security Clearance and must hold British Nationality as their primary nationality. Working: The role is a 4-5 day a week onsite role and is on a secure site where SC clearance is needed. Join a business at the forefront of innovation, with a lot to offer! A company backed by a record multi-year order book, offering long-term stability and sustained investment, with years of secured work ahead!

Company Highlights:

  • Be part of an organisation that invests in its people and their long-term success.
  • Join a company who are a global leader in defence innovation, known not only for its technological excellence but also for its outstanding workplace culture.
  • A reputable business with a number of awards and recognitions, including Sunday Times 'Best Places to Work 2024'.
  • Recognised as a 'Most Loved Organisation'.
  • An organisation passionate about its people with accreditations such as 'Investors in People' (Gold) & 'We Invest in Wellbeing' (Platinum).
  • Passionate advocates for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, with 10+ employee networks.
  • Committed employer of veterans and service leavers, awarded as one of the Top 15 Great British Employers of Veterans in the Forces in Business Awards 2025.
  • Gold member of 'The 5% Club'.
  • Armed Forces Covenant (Gold).

Be part of a growing team, involved in an international product range, and influencing today's most advanced innovations! Full range of company benefits, flexible working, training, development, and clear career progression! Evolving business, with formal training programmes covering both technical and soft skills, complemented by lunchtime learning sessions, language courses, and supported self-study, with access to thousands of online courses and learning resources.

We're looking for a Senior Test Engineer to join a high-performing Manufacturing team, supporting the test and diagnostics of electrical and electronic sub-systems and circuit cards during the early phases of the product lifecycle. In this role, you'll provide technical expertise to ensure manufacturing test capability meets programme targets across time, cost and quality, playing a key part in delivering cutting-edge systems into production.

Responsibilities:

  • Delivering Test Engineering support throughout the design and development lifecycle, from initial concept through to Production Readiness Review and release to Operations.
  • Supporting the introduction of test facilities, ensuring robust configuration control of equipment and processes prior to use.
  • Developing test specifications, operator instructions and technical documentation for production environments.
  • Diagnosing production test failures down to component level, supporting electrical/electronic sub-assemblies and circuit cards.
  • Collaborating closely with Operations, Design teams and key stakeholders to resolve technical challenges.
  • Ensuring all work aligns with programme, quality and governance requirements, while driving continuous improvement.
  • Working with Test Experts and Design Engineers to develop and implement test strategies, influencing design for testability.
  • Supporting Manufacturing in defining process flows for new products.
  • Contributing to Process FMEA activities, ensuring test risks are identified and mitigated.
  • Initiating test fixture designs for new products.
  • Estimating test times and supporting planning for new product introduction.
  • Supporting functional and environmental testing of prototype systems.

You'll join a collaborative and inclusive manufacturing environment, working within a small, dedicated team of engineers. The team combines apprentices, graduates and experienced professionals, all focused on delivering technical excellence across a range of complex systems in development and production.

Essential Skills & Experience:

  • Minimum Level 4 qualification in Engineering, Physics or Maths (ideally Electrical, Electronic, Aerospace or Mechanical).
  • Strong grounding in electrical/electronic principles (analogue and/or digital).
  • Proven experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
  • Solid understanding of test and measurement principles, along with fault-finding techniques at sub-assembly and component level.
  • Experience using manual and automated test equipment (defence or highly regulated environments preferred).
  • Familiarity with systems such as SAP or MES for recording test activity, non-conformance reporting and concessions.
  • Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks, delivering against project deadlines.
  • Strong communication skills, with experience producing technical documentation and reports.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail.

Desirable Experience:

  • Experience in the Defence / Aerospace or safety regulated environment would be advantageous.

Even if you feel like you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to reach out and apply.

Manufacturing Test Engineer in Woking employer: Defence

As a Systems Engineer at our Bristol location, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering cutting-edge training systems in a secure environment. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities to help you advance your career. Join us for a rewarding experience where your contributions directly impact the success of our projects and the safety of our nation.

Defence

Contact Details:

Defence Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Test Engineer in Woking

Join Local Manufacturing Groups

Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!

Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces

Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!

Leverage the Power of Internships

While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.

Apply Directly Through Company Websites

When you find a role at a company you love, like Defence, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!

We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Test Engineer in Woking

Test Engineering
Electrical Principles
Electronic Principles
Test and Measurement Principles
Fault-Finding Techniques
Manual Test Equipment
Automated Test Equipment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!

Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Defence specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!

Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!

How to prepare for a job interview at Defence

Know Your Manufacturing Processes

Before you walk into the interview with Defence, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.

Technical Questions Are Key

Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.

Align Your Values with Quality and Safety

In a full-time role, companies like Defence value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.