Prototype Engine Build Technician

Our vision is to create a safe and sustainable world. Ricardo plc is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company. With over 100 years of engineering excellence and employing close to 3,000 employees in more than 20 countries, we provide exceptional levels of expertise in delivering leading-edge and innovative cross-sector sustainable products and solutions. Every day, we enable our customers to solve the most complex and dynamic challenges to help achieve a safe and sustainable world.

The Role

Working as part of the Prototype Build Team within the Test department, the successful candidate will support the build, modification, and instrumentation of mechanical assemblies — with a focus on new designs and modifications to existing products.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out accurate and high-quality builds of prototype assemblies, following detailed instructions and build documentation.
• Measure and record key build parameters such as torque settings, clearances, and volumes.
• Modify components for instrumentation purposes, including the installation of thermocouples and pressure tappings.
• Apply specialist instrumentation techniques, including crank encoder fitting, speed pickups, adhesive-bonded sensors, and surface thermocouples.
• Disassemble components carefully to assess condition, including the measurement of fastener tightness and wear.
• Use a range of tools to manufacture or modify components — including hand tools, power tools, and machine tools (lathe, mill, pillar drill, surface grinder, welder, etc.).
• Support engine builds in test cells and vehicle environments (on or off ramps), which may involve working at height or in confined spaces.
• Safely move and handle large or awkward components using lifting equipment and manual handling techniques.
• Use computers to access build instructions, communicate with colleagues, and log information. Basic PC skills (Word and Excel) are essential.

Key Competencies and Experience

• Proven recent experience in building and modifying engines, transmissions, batteries, motors, or other complex mechanical assemblies.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently from written instructions, engineering drawings, or schematics, with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to work.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and technical requirements.
• Independent thinker with the confidence to suggest alternative approaches and contribute to problem-solving.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within a fast-paced, hands-on team environment.
• Good general IT skills and the ability to effectively use digital tools and documentation systems. Word and Excel are essential.

Working here

You will be warmly welcomed into our workplace where every voice matters. We are diverse thinkers and doers, coming together to create a culture of inclusion. We will support you to find your place. We will encourage you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact through the projects you work on. Your knowledge and desire to bring about change will be invaluable in helping deliver innovative solutions that support communities across the globe in becoming safer and more sustainable.

Work life balance

We offer flexible approaches to work, whether that is working from home, being in the office, or as a hybrid worker. We're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. Wellbeing is at the core to our culture, allowing employees to flourish and to achieve their full potential. We want you to know how much you are valued. Your remuneration and benefits package will reflect that. You will receive a range of benefits which include support for your physical and mental health. Our core benefits include 25 days' annual leave, plus 8 flexible bank holidays, a competitive company pension scheme, life assurance and professional subscriptions reimbursement. We also offer a wide range of flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours. We have an ambitious diversity, equality, and inclusion approach. We value diversity; recognising that a more diverse workforce creates a richer and more varied working environment. Diversity also drives innovation, by allowing us to offer our clients the best consultancy service that we can. As part of our commitment to engage positively and pro-actively with all our employees and to ensure an inclusive culture, we are recognised as a 'disability confident' employer.

Next steps

Once you have submitted your application a member of our Recruitment Team will be in touch. Please be aware that the timing can vary dependent on the volume of applications that we receive for each role and in some cases, we may start to review applications prior to the closing date. Ricardo is a Disability confident employer please advise the recruitment team via recruit@ricardo.com if you require any adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process.