Senior Research And Development Test Engineer in Newport

Iceotope is looking for a Senior R&D Test Engineer to take a leading role in the development and validation of advanced cooling and power technologies used in cutting-edge IT systems. This role exists to provide dedicated technical capacity for a new power-related R&D project, ensuring key milestones are met without compromising ongoing innovation. As a senior member of the lab team, you will plan, execute, and interpret complex test programmes, generating high-quality data that directly shapes product and design decisions. You will also mentor junior engineers and support the Lab Manager with project planning, test suite updates, and resource allocation.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead product development and validation testing on products, prototypes, and components, ensuring tests are robust, repeatable, and aligned to company requirements.
• Independently run and troubleshoot Iceotope systems and test rigs, including customer IT benchmarking, operating system installation, BIOS configuration, and workload/stress testing.
• Specify, commission, and validate test setups, including instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition hardware and software (e.g. National Instruments DAQ, NI Max, LabVIEW).
• Record, analyse, and interpret test data, producing clear, structured test plans and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop design validation plans, manage test suites, and communicate risks and timelines using project management tools.
• Work closely with engineers across mechanical, electrical, and systems disciplines to understand requirements and translate them into effective test briefs.
• Maintain a safe, tidy, and well-equipped laboratory, including risk assessments, COSHH assessments, and adherence to health and safety standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by suggesting process enhancements and authoring SOPs to standardise effective technical procedures.

What you’ll bring:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven experience in an R&D test environment, product development lab, or similar engineering test role, with hands-on commissioning and operation of test rigs.
• Strong practical knowledge of component, subsystem, or system-level testing, including electrical and/or mechanical measurements (e.g. voltage, current, temperature, pressure, flow, vibration).
• Competence with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, calibration processes, and the ability to develop and follow test plans and validation protocols.
• Ability to analyse complex datasets and produce concise, high-quality technical reports for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Understanding of lab health and safety and safe operation of test equipment, with experience in or appetite to conduct COSHH and risk assessments.

Desirable:

• Exposure to thermal management, cooling technologies, power electronics, or electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience with systems engineering tools such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or similar.
• Familiarity with DFMEA, IPMI tools for IT sensor data, CAD packages (e.g. SolidWorks, AutoDesk), and IT networking protocols and test methods.

About you:

• Strong attention to detail and a methodical, rigorous approach to testing and documentation.
• Able to work independently, taking ownership of test activities while communicating clearly with stakeholders.
• Confident summarising technical findings verbally and in writing, and comfortable presenting updates in engineering forums.
• Problem-solver who enjoys getting to root cause and suggesting practical, data-driven solutions.
• Collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced, scaling organisation with shifting priorities.