At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse and test customer returns, identify issues, and suggest improvements.
- Company: Dynamic R&D facility in Cambridge focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Hands-on experience, collaborative environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Work with cutting-edge technology and develop your problem-solving abilities.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make a real impact on product quality.
- Qualifications: Basic electronics knowledge and hands-on fault-finding skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
This role will be based full time in our Cambridge R&D facility.
You will analyse and test customer returned ghd tools, determine root cause and failure modes, and translate findings into clear corrective actions. You will work closely with Quality, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), R&D, Manufacturing and Change Management to prioritise improvements, raise change requests and track outcomes. This is a hands-on role based in our Cambridge R&D centre, with access to test equipment and product experts.
Job Role and Responsibilities:
- Receive, triage and inspect customer returned products, confirming reported symptoms and return reasons.
- Dismantle products safely and carry out structured fault-finding using visual inspection, measurement and functional tests.
- Identify root cause and contributing factors, distinguishing design, component, manufacturing and customer misuse drivers.
- Extract, interpret and summarise device usage logs where available.
- Record findings in the returns database with high data quality, including part identifiers, photos and evidence.
- Produce regular trend reports and early warning indicators for new failure modes, with focus on new product introductions (first 6 months post-launch).
- Work with Quality, PLM, R&D and Change Management to define corrective actions, support change requests, and track implementation and verification.
- Support Manufacturing and Supplier Quality teams with evidence packs, samples and feedback to prevent recurrence.
- Maintain controlled and safe working practices (ESD, electrical safety, safe dismantling) and keep diagnostic equipment fit for use.
- Improve the returns analysis workflow, test methods and knowledge base to increase throughput and consistency.
Requirements:
- Basic understanding of electronics, electromechanics and electrical safety.
- Hands-on fault finding and disassembly skills on electrical consumer products (or equivalent practical training).
- Able to follow a structured investigation process and document evidence clearly and accurately.
- A naturally inquisitive mindset when assisting with fault-finding tasks, to understand how equipment has been used, installed, and use this curiosity to explore possible causes of faults.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and structured data entry tools (e.g., Access or similar).
- High attention to detail and able to complete repetitive work accurately at pace.
- Clear written and verbal communication, able to present findings and recommendations.
- Self-motivated, able to work with minimal supervision and manage workload against throughput targets.
- Qualification (apprenticeship, HNC/HND, diploma or degree) in electronics, mechanical engineering, mechatronics or similar.
- Experience extracting and analysing device logs, firmware data or using diagnostic software tools.
- Experience with structured problem-solving methods (5 Whys, 8D) and basic change control.
- Experience in an R&D test environment or consumer electronics manufacturing environment.
- Full clean driving licence.
Values:
- Collaborative – We work together to create the extraordinary.
- Creative – We foster creativity & excellence to create value for our brands and business.
- Courageous – We are agile, entrepreneurial & we own our future.
- Connected – We stay connected and ensure we are always consumer first.
- Committed – We are responsible for our impact on other & the planet.
Product Test Engineer in Cambridge employer: GHD Hair
At our Cambridge R&D facility, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and creative work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their roles. As a Product Test Engineer, you will benefit from hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, access to product experts, and opportunities for professional growth through structured problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives. Join us in our commitment to innovation and excellence, where your contributions directly impact our products and the satisfaction of our customers.