Test & Validation Lead

Yolk Recruitment Ltd; Merthyr Tydfil; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Yolk Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Test & Validation Lead to own testing and validation activities within a production environment. This senior role requires leadership across testing, FAT and validation, and involves guiding a Test team to ensure systems meet specifications and regulatory requirements before delivery.

You will drive process improvements, define validation strategies, and collaborate with Production, Engineering and Quality to ensure robust evidence and traceability for all tests

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Test Engineering or Test & Validation role within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong experience across mechanical, electrical and system-level testing, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).
• Experience leading, managing or mentoring a Test team.
• Good knowledge of test planning, validation, NCRs, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications, with strong communication skills and a track record of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Define and oversee the test and validation strategy for production units.
• Develop and maintain effective test processes and procedures aligned with delivery objectives.
• Lead the planning, scheduling and execution of in-process, system-level and final acceptance testing (FAT).
• Manage, mentor and develop the Test team, ensuring effective delivery and technical competency.
• Approve test plans, procedures and work instructions, ensuring alignment with engineering specifications and customer requirements.
• Ensure appropriate validation activities are planned and completed to demonstrate that systems meet their intended requirements and application.
• Maintain accurate test and validation records, including results, certifications, traceability and compliance evidence.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering and Quality teams to integrate testing and validation activities effectively.
• Investigate and resolve complex technical issues identified through testing and validation.
• Lead root cause analysis of test failures and non-conformances and support appropriate corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement across test and validation processes to improve efficiency, reliability and compliance.
• Establish and monitor appropriate department and production line performance metrics.
• Ensure all test and validation activities are carried out in accordance with relevant health, safety and environmental requirements.

Skills

Test Engineering

Test & Validation

FAT

Team leadership

Root cause analysis

Engineering drawings

Manufacturing testing

Job description

Yolk Recruitment is supporting a specialist engineering and manufacturing organisation with the recruitment of a Test & Validation Lead to take ownership of testing and validation activities within a production environment. This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for an experienced Test Engineer, Senior Test Engineer, Test Lead or Test & Validation professional with experience leading testing activities, system validation and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).

The Role

As Test & Validation Lead, you will be responsible for overseeing the full range of test and validation activities for production units, ensuring systems meet engineering specifications, customer requirements, quality standards and regulatory requirements before delivery.

You will lead and develop the Test team, establish effective test processes and provide technical leadership across Production, Engineering and Quality. You will also play a key role in investigating technical issues, improving testing processes and ensuring appropriate evidence is available to demonstrate that systems have been tested and validated against their requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Define and oversee the test and validation strategy for production units.
• Develop and maintain effective test processes and procedures aligned with delivery objectives.
• Lead the planning, scheduling and execution of in-process, system-level and final acceptance testing (FAT).
• Manage, mentor and develop the Test team, ensuring effective delivery and technical competency.
• Approve test plans, procedures and work instructions, ensuring alignment with engineering specifications and customer requirements.
• Ensure appropriate validation activities are planned and completed to demonstrate that systems meet their intended requirements and application.
• Maintain accurate test and validation records, including results, certifications, traceability and compliance evidence.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering and Quality teams to integrate testing and validation activities effectively.
• Investigate and resolve complex technical issues identified through testing and validation.
• Lead root cause analysis of test failures and non-conformances and support appropriate corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement across test and validation processes to improve efficiency, reliability and compliance.
• Establish and monitor appropriate department and production line performance metrics.
• Ensure all test and validation activities are carried out in accordance with relevant health, safety and environmental requirements.

This is what you'll need

• Proven experience in a Test Engineering or Test & Validation role within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong experience across mechanical, electrical and system-level testing, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).
• Experience leading, managing or mentoring a Test team.
• Good knowledge of test planning, validation, NCRs, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications, with strong communication skills and a track record of continuous improvement.