Test & Development Engineer

My client is a global leader in the design and manufacture of gas consumer products and appliances with a comprehensive portfolio of brands serving domestic, trade and industrial markets around the world. Due to increased demand through new product development, an opportunity has arisen to appoint a site-based Test & Development Engineer to join their in-house Innovation & Development Team at their site in Knowsley, Merseyside.

Reporting to the Test & Development Manager, the primary focus of this role is to carry out performance, functional and durability testing of consumer gas appliances. You will contribute towards the development of successful products by aiding the designers and engineers in the development stage through test reports, design input and root cause analysis of issues identified.

Ideally applicants will have previous experience of working in a test facility (either in-house or an external test house) or have designed products which have been through a testing procedure. Candidates with experience of electrical controls and instrumentation associated with this type of equipment are also of particular interest.

Key Accountabilities:

• Be the team technical specialist for the development of gas consumer products.
• Work with the project teams to create and agree design verification and production validation test plans for gas consumer products.
• Carry out performance, functional and durability testing of products & prototypes.
• Provide test solution design proposals for new test rigs as required. Obtain quotations for materials / equipment required and manage build / installation and commissioning.
• Write test reports of a high standard and keep excellent records of tests carried out.
• Work within the company's stage gate NPI process by ensuring deliverables are understood and met on all projects.
• Where in-house test capability does not exist then work with the project teams to deliver capability through 3^rd party providers.
• Support product compliance team and certification agencies through pre-compliance testing to ensure product designs conform to all required regulations and standards.
• Keep up to date with changes to applicable global legislation that affects product design.
• Provide support to the current product portfolio when issues are identified.
• Provide support to Technical Author on developing user and technical documentation.

Ideally, candidates should have:

• Degree qualified (or equivalent relevant experience or qualifications) in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. Industrial or Product Design, Automotive, Electronic & Electrical, Mechanical, Aeronautical, Manufacturing).
• Previous experience of working in a technical test facility as a specialist in gas consumer products or demonstrable equivalent experience (such as a gas appliance engineer carrying out servicing and maintenance) is highly desirable. Equally, you may have designed gas appliances and products.
• Good understanding of materials used in broad product design.
• Good experience of preparing detailed test requirements, protocols and reports.
• Organised and structured with a drive for a clean, orderly, tidy and safe working environment.
• Have or be able to gain a strong understanding of gas product related regulations and standards (e.g. GAR - Gas Appliance Regulations).
• Ability to gain a good understanding of other relevant UK, European and International regulations standards, codes of practice and procedures (e.g. UKCA, CE, CCC, LVD, IP ratings, etc.)

Preferred:

• Good understanding of Quality systems (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001).

There will also be a clear career progression roadmap to follow towards Senior Test Engineer in the near future.

This role can be surmised as one that is very process-driven and product-focused. You must have good investigative skills with strong attention to detail; good organisational and time management skills, be motivated and able to work unsupervised; and have excellent communication skills.

When applying for this role, please indicate your current salary (plus benefits package), minimum salary required, notice period and your reasons for wishing to move from your current company. Alliance Consulting is acting as an employment agency in this respect. Alliance Consulting specialise in the placement of engineers throughout the UK. By sending us your CV you are explicitly consenting to our processing of your personal data on a computer database and/or in manual files for the purpose of evaluating your application for employment. This processing will be carried out in accordance with the UK Data Protection Act 1998. By applying for this role you hereby consent to us submitting your CV to our client. If you do not wish your CV to be sent to our client then you must clearly state this to us. Equally, if there are any companies that you do not wish your CV to be sent to (for whatever reason), then please let us know of this when you apply.