Development Test Engineer - Contractor

Fareham
3 weeks ago
Create job alert

Introduction

Saab UK is a British company that is part of Saab Group's global high-technology operations. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space and civil security. In the UK we bring together the best of Swedish and British innovation and engineering to provide our customers with products and solutions that push boundaries for what is considered technically possible. Our mission is to help our customers to keep people and society safe.

Our Saab UK business is going through a period of rapid growth, this means that we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. As part of the global entity Saab AB, Saab UK Ltd combines the innovative spirit of a start-up with the resources and expertise of a larger corporation. Across the country we have seven principle sites which focus on software engineering, underwater robotics, training services and radars. Globally we number over 22,000 employees and have operations on all continents. Technologically we are leaders in many areas, and we reinvest a high proportion of our earnings in internal research and development. We collaborate with colleagues around the world who all share our challenge - to make the world a safer place.

Saab is a company with opportunities, a company where we see diversity as an asset and where you have both considerable responsibility as well as good opportunities for advancing in your career. Additionally, Saab is a company that respects each person's needs for a rewarding life beyond work.

Role Purpose:

This is a new product testing role within the company. With a wide ranging remit to manage and execute the full lifecycle of test engineering, from definition of test-cases through development of test tools to the execution of testing and management of facilities. As such it will suit someone with a broad spread of engineering knowledge, imagination and drive.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities:

Analyse conformance specifications to derive test requirements

Plan, design and communicate test cases which validate requirements across a broad spread of electro-mechanical systems for both the development and production lifecycle phases.

Design test jigs, harnesses and software to allow execution of test cases including, where appropriate, automation.

Implement data processing/filtering software in a variety of packages to extract relevant results

Manage the internal test facilities (test tanks, ovens, pools, lifting equipment)

Liaise with external test facilities (EMC, vibration, pools, etc)

Execute tests in a clear, safe and controlled manner

Fault finding and failure analysis

Documentation and presentation of results and findings.

Essential Skills:

HNC or Degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Min 3 years in a test focussed role, or within test equipment development

Proven experience in data capture and analysis

Proven experience working on multi-disciplinary systems (electrical, mechanical, software)

Experience working within an engineering NPI environment

Excellent knowledge of test equipment and platforms

Excellent communicator: both written and verbal

Exposure to NPI design phases - with working to Design / Systems requirements

Able to generate test cases from requirements to verify / validate the designs

Experience of National Instruments test software platforms, able to create test software test functions within the National Instruments environment

Experience with control of National Instruments hardware and propriety test equipment as in control , read / write, obtain data, compute, data management

Hands on with electronic circuit construction / testing / diagnostics

Innovative and creative mindset with sound engineering principles

Ability to work unsupervised to tight timescales

Knowledge of product certification, best-practice and industry standards

Enthusiasm, drive and personality!

Create high quality test reports

Data capture - logging

Desirable:

Experience in the offshore and/or subsea industry

Experience working within a Production Test facility

Knowledge / experience in the creation of test executives within NI LabView / TestStand Software

Software programming / scripts (Python, C, C#, C++, VB, etc)

Specification / build / commissioning / Support of test equipment

Understanding of Mechanical principles, and working knowledge of applications

Knowledge of compliance standards and certification (CE/DNV)

Previous experience in a customer-facing role

Related Jobs

View all jobs

R&D Test Engineer - Sensor Technology

Senior Test Engineer

Development Engineer

Materials Test Engineer

Test Engineer – Electric Motors and Drive Units

Senior Electronics Engineer (Product Development)

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Contract vs Permanent Materials Science Jobs: Which Pays Better in 2025?

Materials science sits at the heart of technological innovation, shaping everything from aerospace alloys and nanocomposites to smart polymers and sustainable packaging solutions. The UK, boasting a strong heritage in advanced manufacturing, nanotechnology, and research, offers a vibrant market for materials scientists seeking to push the boundaries of performance, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Yet, as you navigate the rapidly evolving materials science landscape in 2025, you may wonder: Should I pursue a day‑rate contracting role, a fixed-term contract, or a permanent position? Which choice will pay better, and which best aligns with my career aspirations? This article delves into the pros and cons of each employment model, highlights typical salary or day‑rate expectations, and provides sample take‑home pay scenarios for an evidence-based comparison. Whether you’re researching biomaterials in a lab or implementing advanced composites in automotive manufacturing, understanding these pathways will help you chart a course for success.

Materials‑Science Jobs for Non‑Technical Professionals: Where Do You Fit In?

Beyond the Microscope From battery gigafactories in Sunderland to carbon‑fibre composites for Formula 1 in Silverstone, Britain’s materials‑science sector is booming. Yet most career advice focuses on PhDs wielding scanning‑electron microscopes. The truth? New materials only create value when product, supply‑chain, compliance and commercial experts translate discoveries into market realities. MakeUK’s Advanced Materials Roadmap 2024 estimates that 37 % of advertised materials‑science vacancies in Britain prioritise business, regulatory or project skills over laboratory work. If you excel at strategy, sustainability or storytelling, this guide reveals where you fit in—no lab goggles required.

Johnson Matthey Jobs in 2025: Your Complete UK Guide to Building Tomorrow’s Catalysts, Batteries & Hydrogen Technologies

Founded in 1817 and now employing more than 13,000 people across 30+ countries, Johnson Matthey (JM) has reinvented itself repeatedly—from precious‑metal assayer to global leader in clean‑air catalysts, hydrogen fuel‑cell components and circular‑materials recycling. In 2024 the company opened its first gigafactory‑scale fuel‑cell membrane‑electrode‑assembly (MEA) plant in Royston and announced a £200 m investment in green‑hydrogen catalyst capacity on Teesside. With climate policy accelerating and automotive OEMs racing to decarbonise, JM’s order book—and hiring plan—have never looked stronger. Whether you are a PhD in heterogeneous catalysis, a process‑safety engineer itching to scale bench chemistry to kiloton plants, or a commercial analyst passionate about critical‑minerals strategy, this guide explains how to land a Johnson Matthey job in 2025.