Lead Engineer - Instrumentation & ATD Lab., Safety

UTAC; Bedford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in sustainable mobility is seeking a skilled professional to manage its Instrumentation & ATD team. The role involves overseeing test services, ensuring quality, and managing resources in a dynamic environment. Ideal candidates will have experience in data acquisition systems and vehicle testing, alongside strong project management skills. Join UTAC and contribute to innovative testing solutions that enhance safety in vehicles.

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Experience with data acquisition systems is essential.
• Project management experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage staff and resources of the Instrumentation & ATD team.
• Provide technical support for equipment calibration.
• Review customer test requests and plan instrumentation utilization.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication

Organisation

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Education

HNC/HND or equivalent

Electrical based apprenticeship/degree

Tools

DTS

Job description

Company Description

Overview

UTAC is a market-leading international group in digital & sustainable mobility, customisable testing solutions, customisable testing systems, vehicle engineering, homologation, regulatory advice & expertise, certification, training, corporate events and classic & sportscars festivals.

The Group provides services and systems to customers in the various sectors: mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence industries. UTAC operates test centres and laboratories in France (including the official Euro NCAP facility), the UK, USA, Finland, Morocco, and Germany; it has subsidiaries in China, Korea and Japan.

UTAC employs around 1300 people across its various locations.

As a group we share a strong and clear vision to deliver safe and efficient solutions and systems to our customers. We are proud and confident in our heritage, our capabilities and our people and believe that by creating a culture where individuals feel they can make a difference and enjoy coming to work, we can deliver the best possible service to our customers.

Our core values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity provide a clear daily guide to how we work together safely, as one team, helping each other to succeed.

Job Description

Reporting to - Safety Department Manager

The Safety department provides test services for the development and validation of passive safety features in vehicle, systems and component form, using full-scale crash, servo-sled and safety systems facilities. The role consists of a 40-hour day shift week, with the expectation of some overtime as required.

Role & Responsibilities

• To manage the staff and the technical / physical resources of the Instrumentation & ATD team to ensure timely delivery of correctly configured instrumentation and ATDs (Anthropomorphic Test Device) within the safety department.
• Subject Matter Expert for instrumentation and data acquisition systems across the Passive Safety Department, incorporating Crash, Sled and Safety Systems and ATD Lab.
• Working knowledge or awareness of eCall testing, CAN Logging and working with High Voltage vehicles is advantageous.
• Technical support for equipment calibration across the department, including liaison with calibration lab, internal and external calibration suppliers and address any calibration issues that arise.
• Review customer test requests with the test team and confirm whether the test instrumentation requirements can be met and plan instrumentation utilisation accordingly.
• Ensure that available and fitted instrumentation meets requirements of test regulations and protocols to achieve the test being conducted.
• Integrate with the test teams to understand demand and maintain stock levels of sensors and associated equipment, raising purchase orders where necessary to ensure availability for testing.
• Identify areas of improvement in procedures and practices and implement robust solutions for any issues identified.
• Provide training and mentoring as required to the relevant lab staff as required.
• Provide technical consultation to the test team in the analyses of test data
• To manage the service and certification of the ATDs in a timely manner.
• To use data acquisition systems and data processing software for ATD certification
• To develop the facilities and operation provided by the ATD & Instrumentation team to allow it to successfully offer a commercial service.
• Responsible for instrumentation inventory and ATD service & certification records
• To review current and impending crashworthiness legislation and other test protocols and make appropriate changes to the instrumentation and ATD group to accommodate any new requirements.
• Be able to either provide diagnostics support or seek support from the internal or external suppliers for the data acquisition kits used to deliver the safety tests.
• Act in accordance with the behaviours for UTAC staff at all times - Integrity, Innovation and Expertise.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Have an HNC/HND or equivalent
• Electrical based apprenticeship/degree
• Prior experience in a similar role is an advantage

Experience

• Prior experience with data acquisition systems (essential)
• Prior experience with Vehicle High Voltage Systems and data logging (essential)
• Prior vehicle test experience (essential)
• Have project management experience (essential)
• Experience of a customer facing role (essential)
• Prior use of DTS or equivalent hardware and software (Highly Advantageous)
• Prior experience of managing a small team of technicians / engineers to deliver a quality service right first time within tight deadlines (Advantageous)

Skills

• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem solving skills
• Proficient in being able to interface hardware and software with diagnostics capability to tight timelines
• Ability to work under pressure and in highly challenging work environments with professionalism

Additional Information

Personal Behaviours

• Must be able to work independently or collaborate with wider team/s
• Must be highly proactive and have the ability to demonstrate initiative
• Must be able to work in a high-pressure environment and tight deadlines to deliver high quality work - right first time
• Continuous improvement mindset with ideas on improving workplace and work practices where opportunities exist
• Willingness to learn and grow as professional and interpersonal levels
• Flexible and adaptable
• Highly customer focused
• Demonstrate a high level of confidentiality
• Highly motivated team player and conduct themselves with integrity at all times
• Be willing to take ownership of small-medium improvement projects and willing to contribute with innovative ideas
• Willing to train other in areas of their expertise to support development of the team and the wider business

Other

• This position will be based onsite
• Prepared to work overtime as required
• Flexibility to travel as and when required
• Full UK driving license & own transport (UTAC Millbrook is not easily assessable via public transport)
• SC clearance or ability to achieve this (UK national with residency in the UK for the last 5 years)
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check