Senior/ Principal Materials Test Engineer in Rotherham

Join a leading test and measurement organisation and play a key role in advancing fatigue and durability testing capability. We are looking for a Senior / Principal Materials Test Engineer to provide technical leadership within our Advanced Materials Characterisation and Testing team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineer with a strong background in materials testing and the design, build, and maintenance of mechanical test rigs to take ownership of day‑to‑day laboratory operations and help shape future capability. This is a hands‑on role at the heart of our operation.

You’ll lead mechanical, fatigue, and durability testing programmes across both commercial and R&D projects, providing technical guidance and driving the development of new test methods. You’ll also ensure our laboratory runs at peak performance through the maintenance, calibration, and continuous improvement of testing equipment. As the technical authority for our labs, you’ll oversee rigs, equipment, and experiments—ensuring delivery is safe, efficient, and to the highest standard. Working closely with the Head of Materials Testing and engineering teams, you’ll turn requirements into robust test solutions while mentoring junior engineers and apprentices and helping evolve our durability testing capability. This role is based at our site in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. This role is fully site‑based, with onsite working expected 5 days per week.

What You Will Be Doing

• Owning the day‑to‑day safe and effective operation of mechanical test rigs and laboratory facilities to ensure on‑time delivery.
• Conducting mechanical testing in support of commercial and R&D programmes.
• Translating complex or novel durability test requirements into safe, robust, and practical test setups.
• Troubleshooting technical issues and minimising downtime to maintain delivery continuity.
• Leading ISO 17025 accreditation activities and ensuring ongoing compliance with quality standards.
• Maintaining laboratory assets, including rigs, fixturing, and instrumentation, ensuring they remain calibrated and fit for purpose.
• Leading risk assessments and developing safe systems of work through procedures and work instructions.
• Producing engineering drawings for test specimens and fixturing for internal and external manufacture.
• Driving continuous improvement in testing methods, laboratory processes, and data quality.
• Supervising, mentoring and developing junior engineers and apprentices, while supporting customer engagement and the external promotion of the laboratory.

What You Bring

• Extensive hands‑on expertise in mechanical testing, including the design, build, operation and maintenance of servo‑hydraulic test rigs and associated systems.
• Detailed knowledge of instrumentation, control systems and data acquisition equipment used in mechanical testing.
• Demonstrable experience leading or working towards ISO 17025 accreditation and quality systems.
• Ability to translate complex engineering requirements into practical, safe and effective test solutions.
• Solid understanding of laboratory safety, including risk assessments, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER regulations and the development of safe systems of work.
• Proficiency in interpreting and producing engineering drawings for test specimens, fixtures or equipment.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with experience enhancing test methods, processes or data quality.
• Leadership capability, with experience supervising, mentoring and developing engineers or apprentices and driving reliable test delivery.
• Clear and effective communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information effectively to customers, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Hands‑on machining skills (e.g. milling and turning) desirable but not essential.
• Applied knowledge of fatigue test methods advantageous but not essential.

To Be Successful in This Role

• Bring a proactive, hands‑on approach, passion for working at the detail level and seeing ideas through to delivery.
• Enjoy tackling complex technical challenges and turning concepts into practical, real‑world solutions.
• Take ownership and initiative, with confidence to lead activities and drive outcomes.
• Thrive in a collaborative environment, building strong relationships while also working independently when needed.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, adapting your approach to engage a wide range of technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement in everything you do.
• Act with integrity and professionalism, setting a positive example within the team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with company bonus scheme; 37.5 hours per week; group pension scheme with employer contribution of 1.5 times the employee’s contribution, up to a maximum of 10.5%; 28 days of annual leave plus all bank holidays and 5 days of annual leave can be bought or sold; health and wellbeing benefits including private medical insurance and Medicash scheme; paid sick leave and life assurance coverage equal to 4x the employee’s salary; supportive environment investing in continuous learning and development through mentorship and training.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.