Mechanical Lead Test engineer- Energy

ALTEN LTD - UK; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical & Travel Insurance

Pension Scheme

Cycle-to-work Scheme

Social atmosphere and regular team buildings

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the United Kingdom seeks a Mechanical Test Lead Engineer to oversee testing programmes and technical delivery. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in mechanical testing and systems engineering, leading complex technical projects to ensure they meet specifications, budget, and schedule. This full-time role offers a competitive salary and numerous benefits, including private medical insurance and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong background in mechanical test, systems engineering, and leadership is essential.
• Proven experience in delivering structural, civil, mechanical, or environmental tests.
• Knowledge of rigid concrete, impact testing, and fire testing required.
• Experience in supplier management and contract oversight within technical projects.
• Skilled in planning, verification, and risk-based delivery management.
• Project management exposure beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of structural and environmental test programmes.
• Own the test scope from requirements to completion and verification.
• Oversee fire barrier testing and environmental qualification activities.
• Oversee fire barrier testing and environmental fire qualification activities.
• Manage test rig design, working with suppliers to define, review, and approve test setups.
• Conduct internal planning and interface with engineering, systems, and project management teams.
• Manage supplier and contract performance to ensure delivery to cost, schedule, and technical baseline.
• Provide technical oversight and act as the intelligent customer throughout the full test lifecycle.

Skills

Systems engineering

Test delivery expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Detail-oriented

Environmental testing

Supplier management

Project management exposure

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Strong background in mechanical test

Experience in structural, civil, mechanical, or environmental tests

Job description

Mechanical Test Lead Engineer

ALTEN UK is seeking an experienced Mechanical Test Lead Engineer with strong systems engineering and test delivery expertise to plan, manage, and execute a broad portfolio of structural, civil, and environmental testing programmes.

In this role, you will take full technical and delivery ownership of the testing lifecycle — from early requirements definition through to verification, rig design, supplier management, and test execution.

You will work closely with engineering, systems, and project teams, acting as the intelligent customer to ensure testing is delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with specification, budget, and schedule.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of structural and environmental test programmes.
• Own the test scope from ambiguous requirements through to completion, reporting, and verification.
• Coordinate structural testing activities (e.g., modular frame corners, reinforced concrete).
• Oversee fire barrier testing and environmental fire qualification activities.
• Manage test rig design, working with suppliers to define, review, and approve test setups.
• Conduct internal planning and interface with engineering, systems, and project management teams.
• Manage supplier and contract performance to ensure delivery to cost, schedule, and technical baseline.
• Provide technical oversight and act as the intelligent customer throughout the full test lifecycle.

You are…

• A strong systems thinker able to turn high‑level requirements into clear test strategies.
• Experienced in structural, civil, mechanical, or environmental test environments.
• Comfortable leading complex technical programmes.
• An effective communicator, skilled at stakeholder engagement.
• Detail‑oriented, delivery‑focused, and confident in decision‑making.
• Proactive, organized, and able to manage risk in dynamic engineering environments.

Qualifications

Experience, skills and qualifications required:

• Strong background in mechanical test, systems engineering and technical test leadership.
• Proven experience delivering structural, civil, mechanical, or environmental tests.
• Knowledge of reinforced concrete, impact testing, fire testing, or harsh environment qualification.
• Experience in supplier management and contract oversight within technical projects.
• Skilled in planning, verification, and risk‑based delivery management.
• Project management exposure beneficial.

Desirable:

• Experience with fire testing or environmental qualification programmes.
• Background in regulated or safety‑critical industries.
• Familiarity with rig design, experimental setups, or large‑scale structural testing.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Additional Information

Why join us? We foster a community of dually talented individuals who are both entrepreneurs and technology specialists. Our teams embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling us to develop solutions most efficiently. Our commitment to sustainable growth is unwavering, and we continuously strive for accelerated transformation and continuous improvement. Through ALTEN labs, mentoring programmes, internal universities, and more, we are always pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities. We offer incredible opportunities to join inspiring projects in the most innovative companies. We prioritise your career development with personalised support plans tailored to your own aspirations. We're here to empower you and help you reach your full potential. Join our passionate team and start building tomorrow, today!

Benefits

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A chance to work on the most exciting engineering projects and technologies along with Premium Customers
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• A competitive salary
• Private Medical & Travel Insurance
• Pension Scheme
• Cycle‑to‑work Scheme among many additional benefits
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings, and team buildings

Security Clearance

This role will require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

Seniority level

Associate

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Consulting

Industries

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing