Prototype Test and Validation Engineer

SubSea Craft Limited; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Healthcare

Life Assurance

Critical Illness Cover

25 days holiday + holidays

Professional development

LinkedIn Learning

Pension contribution

Flexible Working

Diversity culture

Job summary

SubSea Craft Limited, a UK-based maritime tech pioneer, seeks a Prototype and Test Validation Engineer to drive development of advanced watercraft systems. You will lead prototype builds and tests, ensure procedures meet requirements, and document results to feed the design cycle.

Strong hands-on testing skills and technical communication are essential. Role requires degree in mechanical/electrical engineering, plus experience in test/validation and CAD/CAM/CNC tooling.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in Mechanical / Electrical Engineering or similar.
• Experience in test and validation, both physical and analytical.
• Hands-on use of hand tools to assemble/test prototype equipment.
• Desirable knowledge of CAD/CAM software and CNC operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of prototype build and test activities.
• Develop prototype test procedures aligned with system requirements.
• Create and manage test documentation, non-conformances, results, and recommendations.
• Develop bespoke test solutions to validate against customer needs.
• Collaborate with engineering/operations to deliver results on time.
• Identify gaps in prototype testing capabilities and propose solutions.
• Lead implementation of high safety standards for test & evaluation.
• Work with partner organisations to integrate test plans on schedule.

Skills

Prototype testing

Test documentation

Data analysis

CAD/CAM

Strong communication

Education

Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

CEng eligibility (or progression)

Tools

CNC machines

CAD/CAM software

Job description

• Salary: £45,000- £55,000 pa
• Full Time
• Permanent

Who we are

SubSea Craft is a fast growing, privately-funded, UK-based innovative maritime technology company specialising in next-generation, high-performance watercraft and systems. We operate at the intersection of advanced engineering, cutting-edge design, and user-centric innovation, delivering safe, effective, and enabling solutions for both commercial and defence applications.

What We Offer

• Private Healthcare with optional family cover
• Life Assurance (4 x salary)
• Critical Illness Cover
• 25 days paid holiday + bank holidays + Christmas shutdown
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Pension contribution
• Flexible Working
• A culture of diversity and innovative thinking

Role Overview

We are looking for an energetic Prototype and Test Validation Engineer to drive forward the development of world leading advanced maritime technology. The successful candidate will be driven by innovation and strive to deliver excellence in everything they do.

Responsibilities Include

• Leading the development and execution of engineering prototype build & test activities.
• Manage the development of prototype test procedures, ensuring that all test procedures are developed in line with the system requirements
• Creation and management of comprehensive test documentation to fully capture and communicate all test activities, non-compliances, results and recommendations, to feed into the design cycle and quality management system
• Development of bespoke test solutions, in order to validate prototype products meet customer requirements
• Working flexibly with the engineering and operations teams to ensure test results and documentation is delivered on time
• Identify and propose solutions to address gaps in prototype testing capabilities
• Leading the implementation of the highest safety standards for test and evaluation
• Working collaboratively with established partner organisations to deliver robust integration of test plans within defined timelines

Qualifications And Experience

• Degree level qualification in Mechanical / Electrical Engineering or similar.
• Any additional qualifications or certifications in the areas of safety, lifting, process control, fluid power, technical documentation, pressure systems, environmental testing, high and low voltage electrical assembly / test are all desirable.
• Professional registration (e.g. CEng) or progression towards is advantageous.
• Test and validation experience, both physical test and theoretical analysis.
• Comfortable using hand tools to assemble and test prototype equipment.
• Demonstrable history of excellent technical communication, both written and verbal.
• Maritime experience is a plus, but whatever your track record, high levels of technical expertise, personal drive and strong communication skills are particularly important.
• Experience of safe assembly and testing of pressure systems, including fluid power, would be beneficial.
• Experience in the use of CAD / CAM software and the operation of CNC machines would be beneficial.
• Unafraid to challenge the team and utilise relevant experience to drive towards the highest quality engineering output
• Willingness to embrace innovation and creativity.
• A proactive individual with strong commitment and self-motivation to be able to lead prototype test and evaluation activities
• Good knowledge of statistical data analysis is desirable to draw meaningful conclusions from test data
• Knowledge and experience of data acquisition and instrumentation

Note: Due to the nature of work undertaken at SubSea Craft, the selected candidate must be capable of meeting the security requirements of the position, which would include as a minimum Existing right to live and work in the UK, Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), with Security Check likely for specific projects.*

Values

Our people are our greatest asset, we continually strive to provide an excellent working environment to enable our team to do their best work. We have an agile professional workforce: we are founded on the belief that our people are valued and our business is trusted, inclusive and commercially-adept.

What We Expect From You

• Teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration
• Initiative and independent working
• Honesty and integrity
• Business and commercial awareness
• Agility, adaptability and continuous development

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know.

We regret that due to the high volume of applications we are unable to acknowledge every application. Please bear in mind that if you are selected for an interview we will aim to contact you within 14 days of your application or the closing date (if stated). However, if we think that your skills and qualifications may be suitable for other similar positions we may hold your details on our database and contact you in the future. Please let us know if you do not wish us to keep your details on file.

• Please note that DBS, Driving Licence and reference checks will be carried out and all offers of employment are subject to meeting our requirements.