R&D Test Engineer

AMETEK; Leicester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Hobson, part of AMETEK, is seeking a proactive R&D Test Engineer to plan, execute and improve testing on R&D instruments and sub-systems. You will work hands-on with development instruments, collaborating with R&D Engineers to diagnose issues and drive learning through experiments.

The role requires strong testing discipline, data capture, and the ability to translate results into actionable feedback for design and systems teams.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to write clear test procedures and execute them with discipline and repeatability.
• Strong attention to detail with structured data capture and reporting.
• Practical problem-solving to break down issues into testable hypotheses.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute test activities on R&D instruments and assemblies across functional, performance, reliability, and verification tests.
• Author, maintain and follow test procedures to ensure repeatable, auditable results.
• Build and validate test setups and ensure calibration and measurement traceability.
• Record, analyse and interpret data with basic statistics and plots; provide evidence and conclusions.
• Communicate findings through test reports and updates with pass/fail status, trends, and actions.
• Triage failures, isolate root causes, and feed learning back into design or process updates.
• Coordinate test schedules with instrument availability and engineering priorities to meet deadlines.
• Drive continuous improvement in test efficiency, robustness and knowledge capture.
• Promote safe working and good laboratory practice.

Skills

Test planning

Mechanical systems

Electrical systems

Test equipment

Documentation reading/interpreting

Data collection/analysis

Validation principles

Calibration practices

Mechanical assembly

Electrical assembly

Investigation/DOE-lite

Education

Bachelor/HND in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Solidworks

PDM systems (Windchill/Manage)

Excel

Python

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented R&D Test Engineer to join our Research & Development team. The core purpose of this role is to plan, execute, and continuously improve testing on R&D instruments and sub-systems, ensuring performance is understood, evidenced, and communicated clearly back to the engineering teams.
You will work hands-on with development instruments, collaborating closely with R&D Engineers and R&D Technicians to diagnose issues, propose practical solutions, and drive learning through structured experimentation. The ideal candidate is confident running tests independently, rigorous in data capture, and comfortable translating results into actionable feedback for design and systems teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute test activities on R&D instruments, modules, and assemblies, including functional, performance, reliability/life, and verification testing. Plan timing and feeding back into project planning.
• Author, maintain, and follow test procedures (test methods, setups, acceptance criteria, and reporting formats) to ensure repeatable, auditable results.
• Build and validate test setups (fixtures, rigs, software tools, instrumentation) and ensure test equipment is suitable and controlled (e.g., calibration status where applicable).
• Record, analyse, and interpret data using appropriate methods (spreadsheets, structured logs, basic statistics/plots), ensuring traceability from test objective → evidence → conclusion.
• Communicate findings clearly through test reports, presentations, and engineering updates, highlighting pass/fail status, trends, risks, and recommended next actions.
• Problem-solve alongside R&D technicians and engineers: triage failures, isolate root causes (or most-likely causes), run investigative experiments, and feed learning back into design changes or process updates.
• Support coordination of test schedules with instrument availability, build activities, and engineering priorities to meet project deadlines; elevate blockers and propose practical workarounds.
• Drive continuous improvement in test efficiency, robustness, and knowledge capture (templates, checklists, standard setups, lessons learned).
• Promote safe working and good laboratory practice, ensuring risk awareness and adherence to relevant internal policies and procedures.

Role Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to write clear test procedures and execute them with discipline and repeatability.
• Strong attention to detail with a structured approach to data capture, version control of results, and reporting.
• Practical problem-solving mindset: able to break down ambiguous technical issues into testable hypotheses and next steps.
• Confident communicator — able to present results to engineering audiences and translate technical outcomes into decisions/recommendations.
• Comfortable working hands-on with precision assemblies and instruments in a dynamic R&D environment, balancing pace with rigour.

Essential: Experience / Qualifications

• Degree/HND (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Experience in test engineering / validation / verification of complex equipment (instruments, automation, precision mechanisms, measurement systems, or similar).
• Experience producing test reports and communicating outcomes to stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience in precision engineering, metrology, optics, lasers, interferometers, motion systems, or ultra-high-accuracy instrumentation environments.
• Familiarity with structured problem-solving tools (e.g., 5-Why, Ishikawa, basic FMEA concepts) and good experimental practice (DOE-lite thinking).
• Basic experience with CAD software, preferably Solidworks and PDM systems like Solidworks Manage/Windchill or similar.
• Basic knowledge of fiber handling and DFB laser systems.
• Ability to create small utilities/macros/scripts for test automation or data processing (e.g., Excel automation, Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB) — depending on what you use internally.

Required Skills

• Test planning and execution – ability to run structured tests on complex systems
• Understanding of mechanical and/or electrical systems
• Use of test equipment and instrumentation (setup, operation, validation)
• Reading and interpreting technical documentation (drawings, schematics, work instructions)
• Good computer literacy
• Data collection and analysis (capturing results clearly and consistently)
• Basic understanding of system performance and validation principles
• Familiarity with calibration and measurement practices (where applicable to metrology)
• Mechanical / Electrical assembly (desirable)

Established in 1886, Taylor Hobson is the world leader in surface and form metrology and developed the first Roundness and Surface Finish measuring instruments. We provide contact and non-contact measurement solutions for the most demanding applications on a global basis, with a worldwide infrastructure to support our clients; we are a truly global ultra-precision metrology company. We are pioneers, continually developing our products to meet the ever-increasing demands of next generation technologies, particularly in Optics, Bearings, Space, Defence, Aerospace, Automotive, Medical and Renewable Energy technologies. Taylor Hobson's world leading brands include: Talyrond®, Form Talysurf® PGI, Form Talysurf® i-Series, Surtronic®, LUPHOScan, Formalysurf® PGI Optics, Talyvel®, Autocollimators, Micro-Alignment Telescope and AMECare. Taylor Hobson is part of the Ultra Precision Technologies Division of AMETEK, Inc. which is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices. Website: www.taylor-hobson.com

Compensation

Currency: GBP

Salary Minimum: Market

Salary Maximum: Market

Incentive: Market

Disclaimer: Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.

AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.5 billion. AMETEK is committed to making a safer, sustainable, and more productive world a reality. We use differentiated technology solutions to solve our customers’ most complex challenges. We employ 22,000 colleagues, in 35 countries, that are grounded by our core values: Ethics and Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. AMETEK is a component of the S&P 500. Visit https://www.ametek.com/careers for more information.