Lab Lead and Test Engineer

Our client, a leading manufacturer of components and systems for the aerospace sector and part of a global group, is seeking an innovative, dynamic Lab Lead and Test Manager to lead, facilitate to and perform testing and qualification activities in the Environmental Test Laboratory.

This is a broad and varied role entailing a wide range of duties, further details of which are included in the full job description, but the successful candidate will be required to:

• Ensure that the lab is well organised, that all equipment is well maintained and operated safely, and to manage capacity and priorities

• Ensure that all testing is caried out a systematic and planned way, ensuring required specifications are met

• Provide data that will help to improve the quality and features of products

• Ensure that all the team members are well motivated and fully trained, whilst driving continuous improvement in the team.

• Liaise with other key departments and stakeholders and report on Laboratory delivery performance and KPIs

• Assist internal and external audit teams to ensure that Quality system complies with the relevant standards

• Champion all aspects of the Company’s continuous improvement programme and identify opportunities for implementing process improvements

• Participate in the Company’s safety initiatives, setting high personal standards in H&S and ensure full adherence to the Company’s environmental procedures and rules

• Undertake any additional tasks as may be delegated by the Engineering & Laboratory Manager

• Set high personal standards of work

• Produce work of consistently high quality and in accordance with the output level required, with minimal supervision

• Understand products and their use in industry as well as customer test requirements, developing appropriate test methods to meet their expectations

• Manage the facilitation of external test programs

• Manage a team of test engineers and laboratory technicians, providing day-to-day direction, training, and performance feedback

The successful candidate will have:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field

• Hands-on experience in aerospace testing or laboratory environments, with leadership responsibility preferred

• Familiarity with aerospace materials, components, and industry standards (e.g., AS910)

• Expertise in designing and conducting mechanical, electrical, or environmental tests on aerospace components

• Knowledge in operating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation

• Experience of data analysis and technical report writing

• Proficiency with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) and statistical tools

• Strong leadership and team-building ability

• Clear verbal and written communication

• Organisational skills for scheduling and resource management

• High attention to detail and commitment to safety

• Problem-solving and root cause analysis capability

• The ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities

This a full-time role and does not support hybrid working

Salary to £50k plus benefits package