Test Lab Manager - Aerospace

Akkodis; West of England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Akkodis is seeking a Test Manager to lead the operation, maintenance and development of safety-critical Landing Gear (ATA32) hydromechanical test facilities for major aircraft programmes. You will manage a skilled team of engineers and technicians, ensuring safe, timely and compliant testing campaigns.

You’ll oversee test bench availability, maintenance schedules, configuration control and data analysis, while collaborating with customer teams to deliver on complex certification activities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in aerospace test, integration or lab environments.
• Experience as Bench Manager or Lab Manager.
• Strong knowledge of ATA32 Landing Gear hydraulics.
• Experience managing test assets, schedules and teams.
• Familiar with Test Management Systems and configuration control.
• Ability to script in Python or TCL.
• Excellent stakeholder management and customer-facing experience.
• Strong planning and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of test engineers and lab technicians.
• Manage test bench availability and maintenance schedules.
• Support ATA32 Landing Gear integration and testing.
• Oversee bench configuration management and builds.
• Escalate technical and operational bench issues.
• Ensure HSE compliance and hydraulic safety standards.
• Support automation, scripting and data analysis activities.
• Collaborate with customer teams to deliver programmes.

Skills

Team leadership

Test management

Aerospace testing

Hydraulics

Python scripting

Stakeholder management

Configuration control

Laboratory operations

Tools

TMS

Job description

The Opportunity

Akkodis is seeking a Test Manager to lead the operation, maintenance and development of safety-critical Landing Gear (ATA32) hydromechanical test facilities supporting major aircraft programmes. This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of aerospace certification and integration testing, managing both complex test bench infrastructure and a skilled team of engineers and technicians.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and developing a team of test engineers and lab technicians
• Managing test bench availability, maintenance schedules and facility resources
• Supporting ATA32 Landing Gear integration and certification testing activities
• Overseeing rig configuration management, TMS software/hardware builds and bench modifications
• Acting as the key escalation point for technical and operational bench issues
• Managing HSE compliance and hydraulic safety standards
• Supporting automation, scripting and data analysis activities
• Working directly with customer teams to ensure successful programme delivery

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years' experience within aerospace test, integration or laboratory environments
• Previous experience as a Bench Manager, Team Leader or Test Lab Manager
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, preferably ATA32 Landing Gear systems and hydraulics
• Experience managing physical test assets, schedules and technical teams
• Knowledge of Test Management Systems (TMS) and configuration control
• Ability to execute or troubleshoot scripts in Python, TCL or similar languages
• Strong stakeholder management and customer-facing experience
• Excellent planning, leadership and problem-solving skills

As part of a global engineering and technology organisation, you'll work on cutting-edge aerospace programmes while enjoying excellent career development opportunities, technical challenges and the chance to make a genuine impact on the future of aviation.