Test Development Engineer

TL;DR

Test Development Engineer (Embedded Hardware): Defining, developing, and supporting automated test systems for efficient production of embedded computing hardware with an accent on Design for Testability (DfT) requirements and ATE architecture. Focus on influencing product design early, troubleshooting test failures, and scaling solutions for high-volume manufacturing.

Location: Hybrid in Colchester Office (UK). Subject to BPSS security clearance.

Company

Provider of high-performance embedded computing solutions for defence, telecoms, and aerospace industries with four decades of expertise.

What you will do

• Engage early in PCB/board design reviews to define DfT requirements and influence architecture.
• Capture and maintain ATE requirements aligned with product and production needs.
• Collaborate with software teams to define and develop ATE architecture including hardware fixtures and instrumentation.
• Design hardware elements like fixtures, interface boards, and switching systems.
• Support automated test sequences, troubleshoot failures, and drive yield improvements.
• Provide technical leadership through NPI, pilot builds, production scaling, and ongoing ATE maintenance.

Requirements

• UK BPSS security clearance eligibility.
• Strong understanding of electronic hardware: digital/analog circuits, power sequencing, timing, high-speed interfaces.
• Proven experience developing/supporting Automated Test Equipment (ATE) in production.
• Experience defining test requirements early in product design and collaborating with software ATE developers.
• Proficiency with test instrumentation (oscilloscopes, PSUs, switching hardware).
• Familiarity with test automation tools, DfT, BIST, diagnostic firmware.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and cross-team collaboration skills.

Nice to have

• Experience with embedded computing systems or complex multilayer PCBs.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes (SMT, assembly, AOI, functional test).
• Understanding of reliability analysis, yield improvement, qualification testing.
• Ability to design custom electronics for test fixtures.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability environments.
• Planning test capacity for production scaling.

Culture & Benefits

• 25 days holidays + bank holidays and holiday purchase scheme.
• Annual profit share bonus.
• Cycle to work, home & tech, car salary sacrifice schemes.
• Death in service benefit, income protection, employee assistance programme, virtual GP.
• Enhanced parental leave, generous pension (up to 10% employer contribution).
• Private health insurance (Bupa), YuLife wellbeing app, paid volunteering day, employee referral scheme.