Test Development Engineer

Job Description

Test Development EngineerLocation: Colchester, Essex (Hybrid - 3 Days Onsite / 2 Days Remote)An opportunity has arisen for a Test Development Engineer to join a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance embedded computing solutions serving aerospace, defence, telecommunications, industrial, transportation and other mission-critical markets.The organisation develops advanced embedded computing platforms, single board computers, networking products and high-reliability electronic systems used in some of the world's most demanding applications. With continued investment in product innovation and manufacturing capability, the business is experiencing significant growth and expanding its engineering team to support an increasing pipeline of new product introductions.This is a technically challenging engineering role focused on developing and supporting Automated Test Equipment (ATE) solutions that enable the efficient manufacture of complex embedded computing hardware. Working closely with hardware, software, manufacturing and verification teams, you will influence product testability from the earliest stages of development through to full-scale production.This role would suit an engineer with experience designing Automated Test Equipment (ATE), developing manufacturing test solutions or supporting production test systems who enjoys solving complex technical challenges within a collaborative engineering environment.Main Responsibilities of the Test Development Engineer (Colchester):Define Design for Testability (DfT) requirements during new product development and PCB design reviewsDevelop and maintain Automated Test Equipment (ATE) requirements for new embedded hardware platformsDesign and specify ATE hardware including fixtures, interface test adapters (ITAs), harnesses, switching systems and interface electronicsWork closely with software engineers to develop automated production test sequences and diagnostic routinesSupport New Product Introduction (NPI), pilot builds and transition into volume manufacturingValidate and qualify production test systems prior to manufacturing releaseTroubleshoot production test failures and carry out root cause investigationsDrive improvements in manufacturing yield, throughput and overall test efficiencyProduce and maintain technical documentation including test procedures, schematics, maintenance guides and interface documentationSupport ongoing maintenance, calibration and continuous improvement of deployed ATE systemsCollaborate with hardware, firmware, software, manufacturing and quality teams to optimise product test strategiesSupport production growth through scalable, high-performance automated test solutionsRequirements of the Test Development Engineer (Colchester):Proven experience developing or supporting Automated Test Equipment (ATE) within an electronics manufacturing environmentStrong understanding of electronic hardware including analogue and digital circuits, power systems and high-speed interfacesExperience designing production test systems for complex electronic assemblies or embedded computing productsKnowledge of Design for Testability (DfT), Built-In Self-Test (BIST) and diagnostic methodologiesExperience working with oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, switching hardware and electronic test instrumentationStrong fault-finding and root cause analysis skillsExperience working closely with software engineers to develop integrated hardware and software test solutionsExcellent technical documentation and requirements capture skillsAbility to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary engineering teamsExperience within one or more of the following technologies would be advantageous:Embedded computing systemsSingle Board Computers (SBCs)VPX, VME or CompactPCI architecturesAutomated Test Equipment (ATE)PCB and multilayer board designManufacturing and production test systemsFunctional test and environmental testingHigh-reliability electronicsDefence electronicsAerospace electronicsIndustrial computing platformsDesirable:Experience within aerospace, defence, telecommunications or industrial electronics sectorsKnowledge of SMT manufacturing, PCB assembly and functional test processesExperience improving manufacturing yield and production throughputAbility to design custom electronics for test fixtures and adaptersExperience supporting qualification and environmental testing programmesUnderstanding of manufacturing process optimisation and production scalabilityWorking Pattern & Benefits:Hybrid working - 3 days onsite in Colchester and 2 days remoteOpportunity to work on technically advanced embedded computing platforms used in mission-critical applicationsJoin a rapidly growing engineering organisation with significant investment in new product developmentWork across the full product lifecycle from concept through to productionAnnual company profit share bonusPrivate healthcareCompany pension with up to 10% employer contribution25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and holiday purchase schemeLife assurance and income protectionEnhanced parental leaveCycle to Work and salary sacrifice schemesEmployee Assistance Programme and virtual GPExcellent long-term technical and career development opportunitiesTo apply for this Test Development Engineer role, please send your CV to Kishan Chandarana:TPBN1_UKTJ