Senior Test Engineer in Luton

The role as a Senior Test Engineer you will lead a small engineering team, supporting testing for production, research, qualification and validation of new and existing products. You shall technically support the Mechanical Test Lab, with queries, issue resolution and Material Review Board (MRB) decisions. The role will manage sustainment testing, goods in testing and develop the capability of the equipment and team within the function. There will be occasional overnight travel required to support external testing. You will also support the work of the business to establish safe working practices and necessary level of documentation. You will be involved with projects from the planning / assembly / instrumentation / commissioning phase though to successfully performing and reporting the test. You will also be responsible for providing specialist support to existing programmes within your field of expertise, helping to resolve manufacturing issues and supporting continuous improvement efforts. You will have a proven track record of leading and delivering technical work, with strong communication skills being confident working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including non‑technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead small engineering team, being responsible for day‑to‑day management of the Mechanical Test Lab
• Write test plans and reports
• Facility management, safety and 5S deployment
• Prepare, run and report out tests to customers, including tooling and hardware design and acquisition
• Drive operational improvements, including equipment and Capex proposals
• Lead technical decisions on test results and MRB queries
• Manage material re‑life and obsolescence testing
• Maintain internal & external technical relationships with customers and suppliers
• Contribute to stakeholder management with internal/external customers, and lead management of supply‑chain partners in some cases
• Active in creating a personal development plan linked to GKN\’s development roadmap and deliver on agreed objectives with line-manager support
• Ensure EHS policy and process adherence and contribute to a proactive EHS culture in the wider team
• Manage area risk assessments to ensure everyone works safely and responsibly
• Contribute to the development of GKN as a ‘great place to work’, aligned with core principles – safe, innovative, open & honest, care & respect, and ownership

Qualifications

• A relevant, accredited Engineering / Physics / Materials based degree
• Knowledge and experience of non‑metallic material science, characterisation and testing techniques
• Ability to lead a team within a testing environment
• Accommodating to short‑notice change in work priorities
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Logical and methodical approach to problem‑solving
• Strong self‑starter, enthusiastic, results‑driven, customer focused, consistently delivering to high standards
• Desirable: Higher degree qualification such as a Masters, PhD or EngD
• Ability to plan work through formal project management processes, including scheduling and budgeting, and lead a team to ensure successful delivery of required outcomes
• Aware of industry certification requirements

As Senior Test Engineer you will have a broad interest in Aerospace engineering with a high level of understanding in non‑metallic material technologies & testing and characterisation techniques. You should want to develop and lead people in a technical environment and adapt to changing priorities to meet business priorities handling multiple enquiries at once.

Benefits

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus
• Industry‑leading pension scheme – we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life assurance 8× salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Virtual GP clinic for you and immediate family
• Free onsite parking
• Local gym discount
• 50% off local travel card
• Free airport dart
• Free airport parking
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

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