Missile Test Architect in Bolton

As a trusted partner to the UK Ministry of Defence, our client is seeking an experienced Missile Test Architect to support the delivery of advanced missile systems. This role is ideal for accomplished test equipment engineers ready to progress into system and sub‑system leadership, influencing complex programmes from concept through in‑service support.

You will own the end‑to‑end test equipment strategy, shaping test architectures, managing requirements, and overseeing development through delivery and operational use. Reporting to the Chief Design Engineer, you will act as the technical authority within multidisciplinary engineering teams, helping define built‑in test capability, production testing requirements, and the specification and delivery of missile test equipment.

• Define and implement a project test strategy.
• Define and implement project BIT architecture, including coverage requirements, timings, and system-level routines.
• Specify missile factory pass-out testing to ensure correct build and support the manufacturing team with optimal test stages during production.
• Specify in-service test routines on missiles.
• Generate and manage compliance to lower-level test requirements for design teams, including test access needs, BIT coverage/timings, and factory test functionality.
• Analyse and model systems to understand test coverage and generate diagnostic instructions.
• Propose and recommend cost vs test coverage trade-offs with Chief Design Engineer.
• Produce and maintain plans for activities within the sphere of responsibility.

• Ideally educated to degree level with substantial experience in Test, Electrical, and electronic engineering.
• Digital electronics and microprocessor systems.
• Analogue electronics; Power Electronics.
• Test Equipment Design.
• DOORS (Essential)

• Good understanding of Project Management, planning, cost, and budget control.
• Ability to manage diverse and conflicting stakeholders effectively.
• Capability to technically manage internal and sub-contract activities.
• Strong influencing skills with managers and stakeholders across the company.
• Determination and desire to succeed.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).

British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by our clients Security Team.

For more than 70 years, our client has been in a strong partnership with the UK military. They have accomplished numerous milestones in defence engineering and have provided essential defence capabilities to meet the requirements of the armed forces across land, sea, and air.

This job is at our client’s site in Bolton facility, one of the North West’s leading manufacturing sites for at least 25 years. The facility offers showers and bike racks and is near the motorway, with a petrol station outside. Amenities like an onsite canteen. All employees get training and development opportunities.