Ground Trials Engineer

Copello; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Stevenage is seeking a Ground Trials Engineer to proof and validate complex systems before operational use. This role involves planning and executing various trials, ensuring systems meet performance and safety requirements. Successful candidates will have experience in systems proving and test environments, alongside strong analytical skills and a methodical approach to engineering challenges. This position offers broad exposure to meaningful engineering programmes and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

Opportunity for career development

Qualifications

• Experience in systems proving, trials, test and evaluation or system integration.
• Background working with complex electrical, mechanical or integrated systems.
• Practical experience of ground-based, maritime or operational test activities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute trials for systems and subsystems.
• Deliver a variety of trials including laboratory, ground, sea, and firing trials.
• Conduct data analysis and produce structured reports.

Skills

Systems proving

Test and evaluation

Strong analytical skills

Confident communication

Structured approach

Tools

DOORS

Rhapsody

Python

Job description

Ground Trials Engineer - Hertfordshire - Hybrid - Excellent Benefits

The Opportunity

An opportunity has opened up for a Ground Trials Engineer to play a critical role in proving and validating complex, mission‑critical systems before they enter operational use. Based in Hertfordshire, this role places you at the centre of high‑profile trials activity, working on technically challenging programmes where your contribution has real‑world impact. If you enjoy hands‑on engineering, fast‑paced environments and seeing systems progress from design to proven capability, this role offers variety, responsibility and excitement in equal measure.

The Role

As a Ground Trials Engineer, you will be responsible for taking systems through the proving and acceptance journey, ensuring they meet performance, safety and operational requirements. Working closely with systems engineers, design teams and wider stakeholders, you will plan, prepare and execute trials, capture and analyse data, and provide clear evidence to support decision‑making. You will be involved across the full trials lifecycle, from early readiness and risk reduction through to formal acceptance and reporting.

Key Responsibilities as Ground Trials Engineer

Plan, generate and execute system, sub‑system and integration trials

Deliver a wide range of trials activities including laboratory‑based trials, ground trials, harbour trials, sea trials and firing trials

Define trials objectives, methods and success criteria

Ensure the correct data is captured to support system acceptance and technical assurance

Conduct post‑trial data analysis and produce clear, structured reports

Investigate issues identified during trials and support effective resolution

Prepare for, support and close out Trials Readiness Reviews

Support trials conducted both in the UK and overseas, with travel as required

Maintain risk assessments, safety cases and compliance documentation

Support test facility operations, audits and asset management

Manage hardware and software configuration control within the trials environment

What is required as Ground Trials Engineer

Experience in systems proving, trials, test and evaluation or system integration

Background working with complex electrical, mechanical or integrated systems

Exposure to weapons, missile, combat or safety‑critical systems environments

Practical experience of ground‑based, maritime or operational test activities

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and present complex data clearly

Confident communicator able to work with engineers, managers, suppliers and partners

A structured, safety‑focused and methodical approach to engineering challenges

Desirable (But Not Essential)

Experience with model‑based systems engineering tools such as DOORS, Rhapsody or similar

Exposure to coding or scripting, particularly Python

Familiarity with formal verification, validation and acceptance processes

Why this opportunity as Ground Trials Engineer could be great for you

This is a rare chance to be part of a highly capable engineering team working on challenging and meaningful programmes. You’ll gain broad exposure to diverse trials activities, develop deep technical expertise and play a vital role in delivering proven, operational systems. For engineers who thrive on responsibility, variety and real‑world impact, this is a genuinely exciting next step