Product Support Engineer in Ashford

Location: Ashford, Kent – includes some world-wide travel

Company: QinetiQ Target Systems

Hours: Full-time, permanent

About the role

We are currently recruiting for a Product Support Engineer to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Production Team. QTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ Group PLC, specialising in the design and manufacture of a range of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems, including the world-leading Banshee target. QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over 40 countries worldwide, with QTS providing a complete managed service in over 15 of these countries.

What will I be doing?

Reporting to the Electronics Production Supervisor, you will be responsible for the build, repair, upgrade, testing, calibration, and servicing of electronic system equipment at QTS and external customer sites. The role includes component-level fault finding, technical support across the business, supporting documentation updates, and identifying build, test, and design improvements.

Duties will include:

• Ensure products are manufactured, inspected, and tested within agreed timescales and to the required specifications
• Perform testing (including functional testing), fault finding, and calibration of electronic assemblies and ground support equipment
• Carry out servicing, fault finding, and repair activities at customer sites, including working independently in customer-facing environments
• Act as a technical point of contact for internal departments and external customers, providing effective technical support and guidance
• Interpret and work from electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, bills of materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, and test specifications
• Maintain accurate production, test, and calibration records in line with company and quality requirements
• Identify and recommend improvements to build, test, and inspection documentation, providing clear justification and measurable benefits where possible
• Highlight opportunities for improvement within ATE and Cirris test systems to maximise production throughput, efficiency, and reliability
• Assist in the creation, review, and maintenance of Production Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), inspection instructions, and test procedures

What do I need?

You will have a BTEC, HNC, or City & Guilds (C&G) qualification in an Electronics discipline and experience in electronic testing, including RF testing, fault finding, calibration, and the use of associated test equipment. You’ll be comfortable working directly with customers in onsite and customer-facing situations and have strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a methodical approach to fault finding.

We also ask that you:

• Have experience of customer-facing support or onsite servicing activities
• Have experience interpreting electrical schematics, engineering drawings, and technical documentation
• Familiarity with IPC standards and electronic assembly inspection techniques
• Are able to demonstrate a strong understanding of electronic production and manufacturing processes to a high standard
• Have the ability to work effectively both on your own and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Have effective verbal and written communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences, including external customers
• Have the ability to read, interpret, and work from electrical schematics, circuit diagrams, and technical documentation
• Are IT literate, with experience using standard Microsoft Office applications and electronic test/reporting systems
• Have an understanding of electronic test methodologies, diagnostic equipment, and measurement techniques
• Have high attention to detail with a focus on quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement
• Are flexible and adaptable approach to support changing business and customer demands
• Have the ability to travel, sometimes at short notice

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

What else do I need to know?

Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of exciting defence-based projects, with vast career progression across a global organisation, in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits. You’ll receive a competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive, as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of benefits we offer include ample holiday entitlements, generous employer pension contributions, enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay, and the ability to purchase discounted Health Cash Plans, Private Medical Insurance, and Dental Insurance, plus much more.

Our Recruitment Process:

Please note that applications are reviewed as they are received, so we encourage early applications. This vacancy will be closed when sufficient suitable applications are received.