Manufacturing Test Engineer - CCA

MBDA S.A.S.; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization located in Bolton is seeking a skilled Electronics Manufacturing Test Engineer to join the Circuit Card Assembly team. In this role, you will diagnose faults on PCB assemblies and provide Test Engineering input during the product development process. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of electronics testing principles and relevant qualifications. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits including a company bonus, pension contributions, and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension contributions up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

Flexible leave up to 15 additional days

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Qualifications

• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of electronics measurement principles.
• Hands-on experience in high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Experience with RF-based circuitry is preferable but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Perform fault diagnosis on analogue and digital PCB assemblies.
• Generate test specifications and operator instructions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive product improvements.
• Provide Test Engineering input during design and development phases.

Skills

Fault diagnosis down to component level

Test instrumentation (e.g., oscilloscopes, multi-meters)

Cross-functional collaboration

Interpretation of engineering documentation

Electronics test and diagnosis understanding

Experience with manual and automated test equipment

Education

Formal technical Engineering/Craft Apprenticeship to NVQ Level 3/TR23/TR21

Further education certificate to Level 4 (HNC or equivalent)

BEng/BSc in relevant Engineering/Technical Degree

Tools

SAP

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

Job description

As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a highly skilled and methodical Electronics Manufacturing Test Engineer to join our Circuit Card Assembly team. In this critical role, you will specialise in diagnosing faults on PCB assemblies down to component level. Your expertise will be crucial in accurately identifying root causes of failure, providing technical reports and supporting the implementation of corrective actions, which in turn will be utilised to improve production yield and ensure programme targets are achieved. You will be working with a small team of dedicated engineers in a fast‑paced but friendly and inclusive manufacturing environment. The team has a great mix of people, ranging from apprentices and graduates through to time‑served experienced engineers, all striving to deliver technical excellence across a number of different missile systems in development and production.

Responsibilities

• Technical Root Cause Analysis: Performing fault diagnosis down to component level on analogue and digital PCB assemblies using a wide range of both automated and manual test equipment including oscilloscopes, multi‑meters, signal generators, etc.
• Test Specification/Instruction Generation: Supporting the introduction of new test facilities by generating test specifications, operator instructions, and maintaining appropriate configuration control.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Serving as a key point of contact, collaborating closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Process, Design Engineers, and other stakeholders to overcome technical challenges and drive product improvements.
• Design & Development Support: Providing crucial Test Engineering input during the design and development phases, from initial concept through to Production Readiness Reviews.
• Formal technical Engineering/Craft Apprenticeship to NVQ Level 3/TR23/TR21 AND
• Formal further education certificate to Level 4 (HNC or equivalent in a relevant subject)
• BEng/BSc in relevant Engineering/Technical Degree
• Expertise in Electronics Test & Diagnosis: A strong theoretical and practical understanding of electrical/electronic measurement and test principles, test equipment and fault diagnosis techniques for electronic sub‑assemblies and PCBs.
• Engineering Documentation Experience: An ability to interpret detailed schematics, drawings and test related documentation.
• Test Equipment Experience: Hands‑on experience using both manual and automated test equipment, preferably within a defence or similar high‑reliability manufacturing environment.
• Manufacturing Systems Proficiency: Familiarity with enterprise resource planning, manufacturing execution and version control system tools (e.g., SAP, MES, PLM) for logging test activities and generating non‑conformance quality reports.
• Desirable experience working with RF‑based circuitry would be preferable, but is not mandatory.

Benefits

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave – enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more

Salary: Circa £45,500 depending on experience. Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4 or 5 days per week on‑site due to workload classification. Security Clearance: British National Only.

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more… We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.