Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Technical Lead

Planet Pharma; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking an Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Technical Lead to drive the strategy, design, and deployment of automated test systems across our manufacturing facilities. You will lead cross-functional projects, collaborate with internal teams and external partners, and influence production-line success through robust ATE solutions.

You will guide hardware architecture, oversee test-system integration, and apply Python-based test automation to optimize yields and ensure scalable,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ hands-on experience with ATE system integration, development, validation, deployment, and production support.
• Proven leadership in multidisciplinary engineering or manufacturing projects.
• Extensive expertise with hardware systems, embedded interfaces, networks, instrumentation, debugging, and system-level integration.
• Proficiency with National Instruments TestStand, automated test development, and related platforms.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in test automation, debugging, data processing, and system integration.
• Analytical capabilities for test data analysis, failure investigation, and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Define test strategies for automated equipment across manufacturing facilities.
• Guide hardware architecture decisions and system integration approaches.
• Lead the integration and deployment of automated test systems in production environments.
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams and external manufacturing partners to ensure alignment and issue resolution.
• Drive process optimization to improve production quality and yield.

Skills

ATE system integration

Project leadership

Python programming

Test automation

Data analysis

Hardware engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field

B.Sc. or higher in a relevant technical discipline

Tools

National Instruments TestStand

Job description

Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Technical Lead

Are you a seasoned engineering professional with a passion for driving innovation in automated testing? Join our forward-thinking team as an Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Technical Lead and play a pivotal role in shaping our manufacturing excellence. This hybrid role offers the unique opportunity to lead multidisciplinary projects, collaborate across continents, and influence production-line success — all within a dynamic and supportive environment.

As an ATE Technical Lead, you will define test strategies, guide hardware architecture decisions, and spearhead the integration and deployment of automated test systems across manufacturing facilities. You will work closely with internal engineering teams and external manufacturing partners,ensuring seamless technical alignment, issue resolution, and process optimization. Your leadership will directly impact production quality, yield improvements, and scalable ATE solutions.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
• Minimum of 5 years’ hands-on experience with ATE system integration, development, validation, deployment, and production support
• Proven leadership in multidisciplinary engineering or manufacturing projects
• Extensive expertise with hardware systems, embedded interfaces, networks, instrumentation, debugging, and system-level integration
• Proficiency with National Instruments TestStand, automated test development, and related platforms
• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in test automation, debugging, data processing, and system integration
• Analytical capabilities for test data analysis, failure investigation, and process improvement

Nice to Have Skills:

• Experience with Linux-based systems, command-line tools, and SQL databases
• Knowledge of manufacturing databases, production data pipelines, and engineering data analysis tools
• Familiarity with communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet
• Experience with fixture design, tester safety, calibration, and production maintainability
• Understanding of server, platform, and test station management in production environments
• Prior experience working with subcontractors, external vendors, and procurement processes in manufacturing settings

Preferred Education and Experience:

• B.Sc. or higher in a relevant technical discipline
• At least 5 years’ experience in automation and test systems within a manufacturing environment

If you’re ready to lead cutting-edge testing initiatives and make a tangible impact on manufacturing quality, Take the next step in your career and be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.