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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hands-on testing of complex mechanical products in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Company: Established engineering organisation in the maritime and defence sector.
- Benefits: Stable, long-term role with opportunities for mentorship and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-integrity engineering projects while working directly with hardware.
- Qualifications: Experience in test engineering and strong CAD skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on quality and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
An established engineering organisation operating within the maritime and defence sector is seeking a Senior Test Engineer to join its test and verification team. This is a fully onsite, hands-on engineering role, ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with hardware, test rigs, and live product testing rather than desk-based analysis alone.
You will play a key role in delivering robust testing and validation of complex mechanical products, supporting projects from early design through to final qualification.
As a Senior Test Engineer, you will provide technical leadership and hands-on expertise across test planning, rig design, execution, and reporting. You will work closely with project leads, engineers, suppliers, and third-party test facilities, ensuring products meet performance, quality, and reliability requirements. This role sits within a fast-paced development environment and requires regular physical presence in the test facility. You will also support and mentor other test engineers and contribute to the continuous improvement of testing processes and capabilities.
Key responsibilities
- Capture test requirements from product specifications and engineering drawings
- Support project reviews and provide technical input to test strategies
- Develop detailed test plans, including rig allocation, scheduling, and hardware requirements
- Design and produce bespoke test hardware (e.g. adaptor plates, test shafts) using CAD
- Raise quotations and purchase orders for test and rig interface hardware
- Create and review risk assessments to ensure testing is carried out safely and within operating limits
- Assemble and operate test rigs, monitor live testing via data acquisition systems, and perform inspections at agreed intervals
- Manage testing activities at external suppliers, OEMs, and third-party test facilities
- Produce comprehensive test reports detailing methodology, data, conclusions, and recommendations
- Present test results to internal stakeholders where required
- Ensure compliance with QEHS requirements and promote 5S best practices
- Actively support training and mentoring of junior engineers
- Contribute to compliance with quality and environmental standards (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001)
- Support the ongoing development of the test facility as a centre of technical excellence
About you
- Proven experience in a Test Engineering environment
- Strong hands-on experience with mechanical systems and test rigs
- A degree (or preferably a Master's) in a relevant engineering discipline
- The ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Strong capability interpreting engineering drawings and designing test hardware using CAD
- Confidence carrying out mechanical engineering calculations
- Experience within the marine or defence engineering sectors (desirable)
- Familiarity with test and monitoring tools such as LabVIEW or similar platforms
- Hands-on experience with instrumentation and data capture equipment (e.g. thermocouples, LVDTs, tachometers)
- Clear communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across engineering teams
- Strong report-writing skills with a high attention to detail
- Commercial awareness and a practical, delivery-focused mindset
- Willingness to undertake occasional travel
What’s on offer
- A technically challenging, fully onsite and hands-on engineering role
- Exposure to complex, high-integrity engineering products
- The opportunity to influence test strategy and mentor others
- A collaborative engineering environment focused on quality and continuous improvement
- Long-term, permanent opportunity within a stable and growing organisation
If you are interested, please apply!
Senior Mechanical Test Engineer in Portsmouth employer: STR Group Limited
Contact Detail:
STR Group Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Test Engineer in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! Since this role is all about working with hardware and test rigs, make sure to showcase your practical experience during interviews. Bring examples of past projects where you’ve designed or operated test rigs.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your communication skills! You’ll need to present test results and collaborate with various teams. Practise explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms to show you can bridge the gap between engineering and project management.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your mentoring experience! As a Senior Test Engineer, you’ll be expected to support junior engineers. Share any instances where you’ve trained or guided others to demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always looking for passionate individuals who fit the bill. Make sure your application reflects your hands-on experience and enthusiasm for the maritime and defence sectors.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Test Engineer in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Mechanical Test Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with mechanical systems and test rigs, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've worked on that align with our needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your skills can contribute to our test and verification team. Be specific about your experience in the maritime or defence sectors if applicable.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Make sure to include any experience with CAD, LabVIEW, or instrumentation tools in your application. This will help us understand your capabilities and how you can hit the ground running.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at STR Group Limited
✨Know Your Hardware
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mechanical systems and test rigs. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've designed or operated test hardware. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have hands-on expertise.
✨Master the Test Plans
Familiarise yourself with the process of developing detailed test plans. Be ready to talk about how you capture test requirements and manage rig allocation and scheduling. Highlight any experience you have in creating comprehensive test reports, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with project leads and other engineers, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a team environment. Discuss any mentoring experiences you’ve had, as they’ll want to see your ability to support and guide junior engineers.
✨Safety First!
Understand the importance of safety in testing environments. Be ready to discuss how you create and review risk assessments and ensure compliance with QEHS requirements. Showing that you prioritise safety will demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to best practices.
