Product Test Engineer

Reports To

Product Test Manager

Key Purpose of Job

This role is responsible for the development, and execution, of SSTL avionics hardware testing. The role focuses on executing controlled test procedures, ensuring measurement integrity, maintaining safe test environments and contributing to the development of product test capabilities/methods. The test engineer will work closely with core avionics teams across the business to ensure high-reliability testing appropriate with flight hardware.

This is a technical, lab-based role with an emphasis on continuous improvement to current test methodologies.

Responsible For

· Perform bench-level functional testing of core avionics and subsystems.

· Safe execution of electrical, RF and environmental test activities.

· Maintaining test rigs, harnesses and instrumentation.

· Identifying, implementing and driving process improvements.

· Contribute to the strategy of the Product Test team.

· Developing and executing test plans for digital, analogue, and mixed-signal electronics.

· Producing high-quality technical documents including test procedures, results and fault capture reports.

· Effective stakeholder management across Production, Engineering and Projects.

Key Tasks

· Conduct flight model hardware testing, including but not limited to The Engine while remaining hands-on with technical work.

· Collaborate with the Engineering Department to agree handover plans, scope, ownership, responsibilities and boundaries for testing activities.

· Perform detailed circuit-level debugging using lab equipment and diagnostic tools.

· Support design teams by reviewing schematics and layouts, ensuring test robustness.

· Recording results – including processing and analysing raw data.

· Provide Test Engineering support for one-off or low-volume hardware testing (e.g. Imager Electronics).

· Maintain accurate records of testing processes, procedures and results in a centralised, accessible database with consistent data management.

· Control of technical solutions, budgets, and schedules relating to verification and test activities.

· Host Test Readiness Reviews and Test Review Boards with stakeholders.

· Fault investigation and debugging.

· Support in the design of test equipment (test racks/jigs).

· Refine and automate manual testing to streamline and improve test efficiency.

· Identify process inefficiencies, risks, and failure points, and propose justified improvements to management, including equipment upgrades or new workflows.

· Install, configure and operate test rigs, ground support equipment and subsystems.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Previous Experience

· Proven experience in electrical hardware testing, preferably within aerospace, space systems, defence or other high-reliability domains.

· Practical hands-on experience testing electrical, RF, or mixed-signal hardware.

· Familiarity with environmental, functional, and integration testing of complex electro-mechanical systems.

· Understanding of DC Power systems, RF test principles and required equipment (VNA/spectrum analysers/signal generators), on-board computer systems, payload data storage and interfacing.

· Familiarity with test automation tools and data acquisition systems.

· Exposure to automated test methods or SCPI-driven instruments (advantage).

· Understanding of Design for Test (DfT) and scalable production test methodologies.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills

· Engineering qualification (HNC/HND or degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or related field).

· Knowledge of industry standards, ideally for space hardware testing (e.g., ECSS, NASA GEVS, MIL-STD).

· Test automation experience highly preferred, using Python or similar.

· Strong analytical and systems thinking capabilities.

· Experience creating test procedures, workflows, and evaluation reports.

· Comfortable working independently within a small, fast-moving team environment.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Competent in reading schematics, block diagrams and controlled procedures.

· Ability to speak to all technical levels within the business.

Location

Primary Location: Guildford.

Travel to other sites (e.g. Portsmouth or Stevenage) may be required to support other teams, with travel time and expenses covered.