ROXUK00192 – Trials Engineer

Roxel is an Anglo-French Company that designs, develops and manufactures a range of solid propellant rocket motors for use in tactical missiles. Its operations are spread across several sites in the UK and France and it has an annual turnover of about £250M and nearly 1000 staff, with 300 in the UK.

The UK operations are entirely based at Summerfield, Kidderminster where we now have a requirement for a NPI Quality Engineer. This role offers the opportunity to work on highly complex, safety-critical products while supporting production, continuous improvement and customer quality requirements.

The Test & Evaluation department provides specialist test, evaluation and assurance capability in support of product development, qualification, manufacture, investigation and in-service surveillance activities.

The department incorporates Trials, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Laboratory Testing, providing capabilities including:

• Trials of Solid Rocket Motors, igniters and associated energetic systems.
• Non-Destructive Testing, including X-ray and ultrasonic inspection.
• Physical testing of energetic and non-energetic materials and components.
• Chemical testing and analysis.
• Hazard testing and characterisation.

The Trials function provides specialist engineering capability for the planning, preparation, execution and assessment of trials throughout the product lifecycle. Activities include development, characterisation, qualification, production acceptance and investigative testing using a range of specialist facilities, instrumentation, Data Acquisition and diagnostic systems.

The role represents the fully competent Lead Trials Engineer grade and requires the individual to take technical ownership of assigned trials and deliver them with an appropriate level of autonomy within their demonstrated competency and delegated authority.

The Lead Trials Engineer will translate engineering requirements into practical trial activities, coordinate the facilities, equipment, instrumentation and personnel required to undertake them, provide technical direction during execution and ensure appropriate data and technical records are captured.

The role will work closely with other members of Test & Evaluation together with Design and Development Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety and Programme Management.

The Lead Trials Engineer will also support the development of Assistant Trials Engineers and contribute to improvements in Trials facilities, equipment, processes and methods.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and deliver development, characterisation, qualification, production acceptance and investigative trials.
• Translate engineering and programme requirements into practical and achievable trial activities.
• Define trial objectives, configurations, success criteria and measurement requirements.
• Determine appropriate facilities, equipment, instrumentation, Data Acquisition, personnel and other resources required to undertake assigned trials.
• Prepare Trial Instructions, Range Methods, test procedures and supporting technical documentation.
• Identify technical and operational risks and contribute to appropriate Risk Assessments and supporting safety documentation.
• Contribute to Trial Readiness Reviews and ensure assigned actions are satisfactorily completed prior to execution.
• Confirm the technical configuration and readiness of assigned trials within delegated authority.
• Take technical ownership of assigned trials within demonstrated competency.
• Provide technical direction during trial preparation and execution.
• Coordinate Trials Technicians, Assistant Trials Engineers and other supporting personnel as required.
• Ensure trial activities are conducted in accordance with approved technical documentation.
• Apply appropriate engineering judgement to deviations, anomalies and unexpected conditions.
• Recognise where an issue exceeds personal competency or delegated authority and elevate to an appropriately competent Senior or Principal Trials Engineer.
• Suspend trial activities where technical integrity, validity or immediate safety is in doubt.
• Support investigations into trial failures, misfires, anomalies and unexpected results.
• Support root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Define appropriate instrumentation, measurement and Data Acquisition requirements.
• Review acquired data for completeness, validity and potential anomalies.
• Ensure trial configurations, raw and processed data, high-speed video, photographs and associated technical records are appropriately identified and retained.
• Produce or contribute to trial reports and technical summaries.
• Communicate trial results, limitations, anomalies and recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
• Provide appropriate technical guidance to Assistant Trials Engineers and Trials Technicians.
• Share technical knowledge and lessons learned across the Trials function.
• Support the development and improvement of Trials facilities, equipment, instrumentation, firing and control systems, procedures and Range Methods.
• Promote and demonstrate a strong safety culture.
• Work in accordance with approved Safe Systems of Work, Range Safety requirements, Range Methods and applicable procedures.
• Challenge unsafe conditions or proposed activities.
• Understand and operate within the limits of personal competency and delegated authority.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the level and scope of the role.

The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this Job Description are indicative and may vary over time. Job holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and scope of the role.

Experience and Background

Qualification

Essential Qualifications

• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in an appropriate Engineering or Science discipline, or relevant equivalent industry experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Qualification in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics or another relevant technical discipline.
• Relevant trials, test, range or safety-related training.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Experience

Essential Experience

• Experience within an engineering trials, test, development or qualification environment.
• Experience planning and delivering engineering test activities.
• Good practical engineering knowledge and problem‑solving ability.
• Experience preparing technical or test documentation.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and technical requirements.
• Understanding of engineering risk and Safe Systems of Work.
• Understanding of instrumentation, measurement and Data Acquisition principles.
• Ability to identify and investigate technical problems and unexpected results.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across engineering and operational teams.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake appropriate engineering activities with a suitable level of autonomy.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within Solid Rocket Motors, propulsion, energetic materials, defence, aerospace or another safety‑critical engineering environment.
• Experience of static firing or energetic trials.
• Knowledge of ignition and firing systems.
• Experience with force, pressure, temperature, displacement or other relevant instrumentation.
• Experience with high-speed video and diagnostic systems.
• Experience with modern Data Acquisition and analysis systems.
• Understanding of PLC‑based control systems and safety interlocks.
• Experience of environmental, vibration, structural, mechanical or centrifuge testing.
• Experience participating in Trial Readiness Reviews.
• Experience investigating trial failures or abnormal events.
• Knowledge of relevant defence, aerospace, explosives or energetic‑material standards and guidance.

Person Specification

• Demonstrates behaviours that align with Roxel's values of 'Commitment', 'Innovation', 'Trust' and 'Teamwork'.
• Teamwork - Works effectively with and provides appropriate support to other members of the Trials and wider Test & Evaluation teams.
• Safety Awareness - Places safe execution at the centre of trial activities and is prepared to challenge or stop an activity when required.
• Engineering Judgement - Makes appropriate technical decisions using available evidence, engineering principles and experience.
• Ownership - Takes responsibility for assigned trials from initial definition through execution and close-out.
• Autonomy - Can independently deliver appropriate trials within demonstrated competency and delegated authority.
• Practical Engineering - Can translate technical requirements into practical and achievable trial arrangements.
• Problem Solving - Identifies technical problems and develops appropriate and proportionate solutions.
• Attention to Detail - Maintains appropriate control of trial configuration, documentation and technical records.
• Communication - Communicates clearly and effectively with engineers, technicians and other stakeholders.
• Professional Challenge - Is prepared to question assumptions or activities where legitimate technical or safety concerns exist.
• Self-Awareness - Recognises the limits of personal knowledge, competency and authority and escalates appropriately.
• Composure - Maintains a methodical approach during unexpected or time‑critical situations.
• Continuous Development - Actively develops technical knowledge, experience and engineering judgement.