Lab Lead Test Engineer

Safran; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Electrical Components is seeking an experienced Lab Lead Test Engineer to head a team delivering mechanical, electrical and environmental testing across a diverse aerospace product portfolio.

You will plan and coordinate laboratory activities, ensure calibration and compliance of equipment, and collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain and Customer Services to drive development, qualification and lifecycle testing.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in aerospace testing or laboratory environments, with leadership responsibility preferred.
• Familiarity with aerospace materials, components, and industry standards.
• Experience leading or supervising technical engineering teams.
• Strong background in test engineering within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of mechanical, electrical and environmental testing methodologies.
• Experience planning and managing test activities and laboratory workloads.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to balance hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities.
• Experience supporting technical investigations and problem-solving activities.
• Desirable Experience; Aerospace, Defence, Automotive or similarly regulated industries.
• Laboratory management or test facility leadership.
• Environmental, vibration, pressure or qualification testing.
• AS9100 or equivalent quality standards.
• Continuous improvement and capacity planning initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a team of Test Engineers and Laboratory Technicians.
• Planning, prioritising and coordinating laboratory activities and resource allocation.
• Managing mechanical, electrical and environmental test programmes.
• Supporting development, qualification and lifecycle testing activities.
• Ensuring laboratory equipment remains calibrated, compliant and operational.
• Coordinating external testing activities with specialist test houses.
• Producing, reviewing and presenting technical reports and test results.
• Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain and Customer Services teams.
• Supporting root cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contributing to future laboratory growth and increased testing capacity.

Skills

Aerospace testing experience

Lab leadership

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering, materials science, or related field

Tools

AS9100

LIMS

3DX

Job description

Skills: Aerospace, AS9100, AS1227, QMS, LIMS, 3DX, Lab Test, Calibration, Tensile, Pressure, Torque, Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, materials science, or a related technical field.

Hands-on experience in aerospace testing or laboratory environments, with leadership responsibility preferred.

Familiarity with aerospace materials, components, and industry standards.

Experience leading or supervising technical engineering teams.

Strong background in test engineering within a regulated manufacturing environment.

Understanding of mechanical, electrical and environmental testing methodologies.

Experience planning and managing test activities and laboratory workloads.

Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Ability to balance hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities.

Experience supporting technical investigations and problem-solving activities.

Desirable Experience;

Aerospace, Defence, Automotive or similarly regulated industries.

Laboratory management or test facility leadership.

Environmental, vibration, pressure or qualification testing.

AS9100 or equivalent quality standards.

Continuous improvement and capacity planning initiatives.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Lab Lead Test Engineer to join Safran Electrical Components.

Lead a team responsible for delivering mechanical, electrical and environmental testing across a diverse product portfolio.

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ''World's Best Companies 2025'' ranking.

As the world leader in aeronautical electrical systems, Safran Electrical & Power is a key player in the electrification of aircraft equipment and electric and hybrid propulsion. With expertise across the onboard energy chain, the company designs and delivers innovative, optimized and modular architectures and solutions.

Safran Electrical Components site based in Slough, is a key manufacturing site within the Safran Group, specialising in the production of high-performance electrical components for aerospace applications.

As part of Safran's global industrial network, the site supports critical programmes by delivering reliable, innovative, and fully compliant electrical solutions for both civil and military aviation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and developing a team of Test Engineers and Laboratory Technicians


• Planning, prioritising and coordinating laboratory activities and resource allocation


• Managing mechanical, electrical and environmental test programmes.


• Supporting development, qualification and lifecycle testing activities.


• Ensuring laboratory equipment remains calibrated, compliant and operational.


• Coordinating external testing activities with specialist test houses.


• Producing, reviewing and presenting technical reports and test results.


• Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain and Customer Services teams.


• Supporting root cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Contributing to future laboratory growth and increased testing capacity.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to lead an established laboratory team.


• Mix of technical and leadership responsibilities.


• Exposure to a wide range of exciting qualification and development projects.


• Influence the future growth and capability of the test function.


• Join a global aerospace organisation with ongoing investment in products, people and facilities.