Test Design Engineer

In this role you design and deliver robust, scalable test architectures for complex aerospace and defence systems. You will align test strategies with MOD standards and customer needs, shaping test systems across the product lifecycle. You’ll lead cross‑functional collaboration between design, integration and customers, driving innovation in automation, digital twins and model‑based approaches. This is a chance to influence next‑generation test solutions within a critical UK defence portfolio.

• Performance-related bonus
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• 28 days annual leave (+bank holidays) with buy‑up option
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• Life cover

• Lead the design and architecture of test solutions for complex aerospace and defence systems, ensuring compliance with MOD and industry standards
• Define test strategies, frameworks, and architectures to support product development, verification, qualification, and in-service support
• Translate system and customer requirements into effective test system requirements and architectures
• Ensure test solutions integrate seamlessly with hardware, software, and system environments
• Work closely with design engineers, test engineers, and programme managers to ensure traceability and compliance throughout the lifecycle
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Contribute to bid and proposal activity, providing technical input to estimates, schedules, and solution concepts
• Engage directly with key stakeholders to ensure alignment with defence standards, policies, and best practices
• Drive innovation in test methods, including automation, digital twins, and model-based test approaches

• Proven experience as a Systems Architect / Systems Engineer
• Strong background in test system design and architecture
• Experience of integrating hardware, software, and COTS solutions into test
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to interface with customers
• Demonstrable ability to work across the full system lifecycle – from concept through to in-service support

• Stakeholder management
• Communication skills
• Technical leadership
• Test system design and architecture
• Integration of hardware, software, and COTS into test
• Automation (desirable)