Test Technician

John Crane; Slough; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

John Crane is launching a dedicated night-shift testing operation at our Slough Test Laboratory and is seeking an experienced Test Technician to support this fixed-term initiative on a contract basis.

Working within our Technology and Innovation Group, you will prepare, set up and execute product testing activities that support New Product Development, Root Cause Analysis and material qualification programmes.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in manufacturing, testing or assembly environments.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with practical prep experience.
• Understanding of engineering processes and data reporting.
• Commitment to safe systems of work and risk awareness.
• Clear communication and cross-team collaboration.
• Willingness to work a shift-based schedule.

Responsibilities

• Support NPD, RCA and material qualification testing programmes.
• Execute test procedures and capture accurate data.
• Assist with test planning, project execution and reviews.
• Apply gas seal fundamentals and testing criteria during activities.
• Prepare test rigs and equipment ahead of planned testing.
• Install seals and hardware, perform pre-test checks.
• Document test evidence and maintain records.
• Follow SOPs to ensure safe, efficient test execution.
• Maintain a clean, safe lab environment and assist with stores.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Mechanical aptitude

Data recording

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Shift work

Education

BTEC/HNC in engineering

Tools

Test rigs

Fluid systems

Job description

John Crane, a business of Smiths Group, is a global leader in mission-critical flow control solutions for energy and process industries that enable efficient and sustainable operations. Our products include mechanical seals and systems, couplings, bearings, filtration systems, and predictive digital monitoring technologies.

We have a global network of more than 200 sites in over 50 countries and employ more than 6,000 people worldwide. We partner with our customers to help them keep their operations safe, reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and meet the latest environmental standards.

John Crane is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, helping to create a safer, more efficient, productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defence, space & aerospace, and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs approximately 16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries.

John Crane is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to crafting an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Description

John Crane is launching a dedicated night-shift testing operation within our Slough Test Laboratory and is seeking an experienced Test Technician to support this exciting new initiative on a fixed-term contract.

Working within our Technology and Innovation Group, you will play a key role in preparing, setting up and executing product testing activities that support New Product Development (NPD), Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations and material qualification programmes. This is a hands-on position focused on delivering high-quality testing, maintaining equipment readiness, and ensuring accurate capture of test data to support engineering decisions.

This opportunity offers the chance to work with advanced gas seal technologies in a collaborative engineering environment. If the trial proves successful, there may be future opportunities for a permanent night-shift position.

What You'll Be Doing

Product Testing & Validation

• Support NPD, RCA and material qualification testing programmes.
• Execute test procedures and capture accurate, reliable test data.
• Assist with test planning, project execution and engineering reviews.
• Apply gas seal fundamentals, testing methods and acceptance criteria during day-to-day activities.

Night Shift Operations

• Prepare test rigs and equipment ahead of planned testing activities.
• Install seals and associated hardware.
• Complete pre-test checks and static pressure testing activities.
• Photograph and document test evidence, ensuring records are accurately maintained.
• Follow standard operating procedures and best practice processes to ensure safe and efficient test execution.

Laboratory & Site Support

• Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment in line with HSE and 5S principles.
• Support inventory management and stores activities as required.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the laboratory environment.
• Ensure equipment readiness and operational discipline are maintained at all times.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience within a manufacturing, mechanical assembly or product testing environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with practical assembly and equipment preparation experience.
• Understanding of manufacturing, engineering or product development processes.
• Experience recording, analysing and reporting test data.
• Strong commitment to safe systems of work and risk awareness.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Adaptable, proactive and comfortable working within a shift-based environment.

Preferred

• BTEC Level 3, Level 4 or HNC in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting product testing, validation or development activities.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and laboratory best practices.
• Previous experience working with engineering test rigs or fluid systems.

Additional information

With colleagues stretching across the globe, we are proud of our diversity. To foster inclusivity, we run employee resource groups (ERGs) to provide a safe space for employees to connect and support each other. Our cross-business ERGs include Veterans, Pride Network, Black Employee Network, Women@Work Network, and Neurodiversity.

Across our company, we recognize excellence, culminating in the Smiths Excellence Awards, our annual celebration of the most extraordinary activities, people, and projects that best showcase our strengths and help drive our business forward. We announce these on our annual Smiths Day, a global celebration of Smiths around our network.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.