Test Systems Lead

Role Overview

We are looking for a Manufacturing Test Systems Lead to take ownership of a team of Test Systems Engineers within a leading Defence organisation.

The role will focus on people leadership, engineering delivery, resource management and the development of a long-term Test Systems strategy.

The successful candidate will lead a technically capable team responsible for the design, development, upgrade and support of manufacturing test equipment used across production facilities and external suppliers.
While a good technical understanding of electrical, electronic or test engineering is important, the priority is finding a strong people leader rather than the most technical Test Systems Engineer. The business is looking for someone who can take ownership of the function, manage challenging personalities, improve communication and accountability, and ensure engineering activities are delivered against agreed schedules.
There is also a significant opportunity to influence the future direction of Test Systems, with major equipment upgrades, new development programmes and investment planned.

Key Responsibilities
People Leadership & Team Management
• Provide direct line management for a team of 4+ Test Systems Engineers.
• Manage team workloads, establish priorities and ensure engineering activities are completed on time.
• Provide effective leadership, coaching, mentoring and development for team members.
• Address performance challenges, manage difficult personalities and establish clear accountability.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide regular feedback and make recommendations regarding recruitment, promotions and disciplinary matters.
• Ensure the team has the appropriate skills, resources and capabilities to meet current and future business demands.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing engineering team with a strong focus on communication and delivery.

Project Delivery & Resource Management
• Take ownership of Test Systems activities, projects and equipment deliveries, ensuring work progresses through to completion.
• Develop resource plans to support both Integrated Project Team (IPT) requirements and Production demands.
• Manage competing priorities, urgent engineering activities and project deadlines.
• Work closely with Project Managers to establish realistic schedules, monitor progress and communicate risks or delays.
• Coordinate internal engineering resources and external suppliers to support test equipment development.
• Develop project plans, cost estimates and delivery schedules for new and existing test development activities.
• Improve the visibility of engineering progress, commitments and deliverables across the wider business.

Test Systems Development & Technical Oversight
• Lead the team responsible for designing, developing, upgrading and supporting manufacturing test systems and equipment.
• Oversee test equipment deployed within production environments and at external supplier facilities.
• Support the development of new test rigs, test solutions and equipment upgrades.
• Provide sufficient technical oversight to understand engineering challenges, review proposed approaches and support technical decision-making.
• Challenge established methods and identify opportunities to introduce new technologies, test methodologies and more efficient engineering solutions.
• Support improvements in test data capture, analysis and utilisation.
• Ensure engineering solutions meet the required technical, quality, safety and cost objectives.

Strategy & Continuous Improvement
• Develop and implement a long-term Test Systems strategy and technology roadmap.
• Work closely with senior management and IPTs to understand future programme requirements and testing needs.
• Identify opportunities to modernise legacy equipment and introduce new test capabilities.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery and cost reduction.
• Establish more effective processes for workload planning, communication, reporting and project delivery.
• Identify skills gaps and opportunities to improve the teams capabilities through recruitment, development or external support.
• Ensure Test Systems activities align with wider business objectives and future investment plans.

Stakeholder & Supplier Management
• Work closely with Production, Supply Chain, Programme Management, Engineering and other functional teams.
• Understand current and future product requirements and translate these into Test Systems development plans.
• Engage with IPTs to ensure appropriate Test Systems resources are available to support programme commitments.
• Support the onboarding and coordination of external suppliers involved in test equipment development.
• Improve communication between Test Systems, Project Managers and wider operational stakeholders.
• Ensure appropriate engineering policies, procedures, safety requirements and performance metrics are maintained.

Production Testing
• Engineers responsible for carrying out product testing on the shop floor.
• This function is expected to transition into the Value Stream Management structure, allowing the new Lead to focus specifically on Test Systems Engineering.

Technical Background
The hiring manager has emphasised that the successful candidate does not need to be the most technically qualified engineer within the team.
The priority is finding someone with strong leadership skills who has sufficient technical understanding to engage with engineering challenges and guide the function effectively.

Essential
• Leading and managing technical or engineering teams.
• Strong people management skills, including performance management and managing challenging individuals.
• Managing engineering workloads, resources, priorities and delivery schedules.
• Good technical understanding of electrical, electronics, test engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Ability to understand technical challenges, evaluate solutions and support engineering decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Implementing process improvements and driving change within an engineering environment.

Desirable
• Test Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Test, Production Test or Automated Test Equipment (ATE).
• Developing or supporting test rigs and manufacturing test equipment.
• Knowledge of LabVIEW or similar test development technologies, although this is not essential.
• Developing engineering strategies, roadmaps or improvement programmes.
• Exposure to supplier management and externally deployed test equipment.
• Working within Defence, Aerospace or other complex engineering environments.
• Working with IPTs and cross-functional engineering teams.