Test Engineer

Theo James Recruitment; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Structured support

LabVIEW training

Career progression

Job stability

Job summary

Theo James Recruitment is seeking a Test Development Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne to design and improve automated test systems for PCB assemblies. You will own projects, collaborating with production and engineering teams to ensure robust testing before production releases.

You will work on a range of electronics projects, applying LabVIEW and other programming skills, with opportunities for training and progression within a growing group.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of analogue and digital electronic circuits.
• Ability to read schematics and fault-find at PCB level.
• Software development experience involving hardware or instruments.
• Experience building, integrating, maintaining or troubleshooting electronic systems.
• Methodical approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to manage engineering work with limited supervision.
• A relevant electronics or electrical engineering qualification.
• LabVIEW or NI hardware experience is advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Translating product test specifications into practical test-system designs.
• Selecting suitable test hardware, instrumentation and measurement methods.
• Designing or specifying PCB test fixtures using schematics and manufacturing data.
• Wiring and integrating fixtures, instruments and interface hardware.
• Developing test software using LabVIEW or transferable languages.
• Creating automated test sequences that capture measurements and produce pass/fail results.
• Supporting new product introduction by ensuring suitable testing before production release.
• Troubleshooting test equipment, fixtures and PCB assemblies.
• Analyzing test data to improve reliability, test coverage and yield.
• Maintaining technical documentation and supporting production teams.

Skills

Analog & Digital

Schematic reading

Software with hardware

Electronics systems

Problem solving

Independent work

Electronics degree

LabVIEW

Fixture testing

Test engineering

Education

Electronics/electrical engineering degree

Tools

In-circuit testing

Bed-of-nails fixtures

PCB fixtures

Job description

Job Title: Test Development Engineer

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne – fully site-based

Salary: Competitive D.O.E

Benefits:

• Performance-related bonus linked to personal and company objectives.
• Structured technical support from an experienced manager.
• Training in LabVIEW, automated testing and fixture development where required.
• Opportunities for internal progression across the wider group.
• Stable, long-term employment within a growing manufacturer.

The Company:

An established specialist electronics manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality, technical expertise and long-term stability. The business has grown consistently over the past five years and forms part of a wider group, providing access to career opportunities across several UK operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Test Development Engineer to join the company during a busy period of investment in its production-testing capability. You will work on varied electronics projects and have genuine ownership of the equipment used to test manufactured PCB assemblies.

Job Description:

The Test Development Engineer will design, develop, maintain and improve automated test systems, production-test processes and fixtures for PCB assemblies.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Translating product test specifications into practical test-system designs.
• Selecting suitable test hardware, instrumentation and measurement methods.
• Designing or specifying PCB test fixtures using schematics, layouts and manufacturing information.
• Wiring and integrating fixtures, instruments and interface hardware.
• Developing test software using LabVIEW or transferable languages such as C#, C++, Python, Visual Basic or C.
• Creating automated test sequences that capture measurements and produce clear pass/fail results.
• Supporting new product introduction by ensuring suitable testing is available before production release.
• Troubleshooting test equipment, fixtures and PCB assemblies.
• Analysing test data to improve reliability, test coverage and first-pass yield.
• Maintaining technical documentation and supporting production teams.

As Test Development Engineer, you will be expected to take ownership of projects while working closely with production, quality, design and engineering colleagues.

Skills & Experience:

• Strong knowledge of analogue and digital electronic circuits.
• Confidence interpreting schematics and fault-finding at PCB level.
• Practical software-development experience involving physical hardware or instruments.
• Experience building, integrating, maintaining or troubleshooting electronic systems.
• A methodical approach to technical problem-solving.
• The ability to manage engineering work with limited supervision.
• A relevant electronics, electrical-engineering or similar qualification.
• Direct LabVIEW, National Instruments, in-circuit testing or bed-of-nails fixture experience would be advantageous but is not essential where strong transferable electronics and programming skills can be demonstrated.

Why Should You Apply?

This Test Development Engineer position offers the opportunity to own complete technical projects rather than simply operate existing test equipment. You will combine electronics, software and hands‑on engineering while helping shape the company’s future production-test capability.