Senior Test & Development Engineer

Db Def; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Flexible annual leave up to 12 days

Pension scheme up to 8%

Life Assurance up to 5x salary

Health Care Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Gear Academy training

Career development

Job summary

DB Defence is seeking a Senior Test & Development Engineer to design and develop test solutions, lead performance validation, and address complex engineering challenges in a Defence environment. You will oversee test rigs, instrumentation, lubrication and cooling systems, and ensure rigorous test programmes meet certification standards.

You will drive data analysis, generate detailed test reports, and support bids, design reviews and off-site service activities.

Qualifications

• Experience with test instrumentation, data acquisition and vibration analysis.
• Knowledge of FMEA and engineering lifecycle processes is advantageous.
• Experience with SAP in an engineering environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead product validation and performance testing requirements.
• Oversee test rig installation, commissioning and execution of test programmes.
• Lead data processing and analysis of test data, including noise and vibration measurements.

Skills

Test instrumentation

Data acquisition

Vibration analysis

Education

NVQ Level 3 (Apprenticeship)

HNC

Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

SAP

Teamcenter

PLM systems

Job description

Make your mark on the next generation of high-integrity gearbox technology. As a Senior Test & Development Engineer, you’ll design and develop test solutions, lead performance validation and tackle complex engineering challenges within a specialist Defence environment.

About the Role:

• Define and lead product validation and performance testing requirements, developing test plans, specifications and acceptance criteria to meet DBD, customer and applicable certification standards.
• Provide technical oversight of test rig installation, commissioning and test programme execution, including test equipment, instrumentation, lubrication and cooling systems, guarding and client witness testing.
• Lead the capture, processing and analysis of test data, including noise and vibration measurement, shaft line and coupling balance assessments, and the generation and presentation of detailed test reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide engineering design and development support for test rig hardware and bespoke test solutions, while supporting project bids, design reviews and operational teams during test programmes and off-site service activities.
• Lead and contribute to DFMEA, PFMEA and continuous improvement activities, using test results and engineering data to identify issues, implement solutions and improve product performance and validation processes.

About You:

• Previous experience in a Senior Test & Development Engineer, Senior C&I Engineer, Senior Integration & Commissioning Engineer or similar role, ideally within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Must hold an NVQ Level 3 (Apprenticeship), HNC or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant discipline; a degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar would be desirable.
• Advanced experience in test instrumentation, data acquisition and vibration analysis, with the ability to interpret test results, identify issues and support technical problem-solving.
• Demonstrable experience with FMEA and engineering lifecycle processes, including knowledge of functional safety, PLM systems (ideally Teamcenter) and engineering data management would be advantageous.
• Experience with SAP within an engineering environment would be advantageous.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and achieve project objectives.

Why DBD?

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Flexible working agreement that allows you to accrue up to an additional 12 days annual leave per annum
• Defined Pension Scheme – Up to 8% employer contribution
• Life Assurance – Up to 5x basic salary (depending on contribution to pension scheme)
• Health Care Cash Plan – provides reimbursement for healthcare appointments, including dental, physiotherapy, and other eligible treatments.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Access to confidential support and advice on personal, financial and wellbeing matters.
• Training Opportunities – We invest in our people through our Gear Academy, offering product, service, legal, ethics, and compliance training, alongside external development opportunities to help you build your skills and progress your career.
• Career Development – Whether you are joining as an apprentice, a graduate or taking the next step in your career journey, we will support you in developing your career at every step of the way. We are proud to see our people develop and regularly promote internally.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at DB Defence are subject to security and export control restrictions. These requirements may mean that factors such as your nationality, previous nationalities and place of birth can affect your eligibility for certain roles within the organisation. All applicants must, as a minimum, be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance. Many roles also require a higher level of National Security Vetting. Depending on the level of vetting required, applicants will typically need to have been continuously resident in the UK for a minimum of 10 years to enable meaningful security checks to be completed.