Senior / Principal Test Engineer Permanent

Purpose of the role

The main purpose of this role is increase the Test Engineering group’s capability and capacity to

1. Specify, design and build systems for testing Flusso gas and flow sensor solutions, with respect to performance targets, under specified operating conditions – such as supply voltage, temperature, pressure and humidity
2. Create test specifications and develop test software (in LabVIEW) that implements the tests.
3. Create and execute test plans.
4. Deliver high quality, reliable test results and informative analysis.

Responsibilities

New product (and device) development and introduction

• Building a full understanding of Flusso sensor devices and product solutions, including use cases, operation and performance specifications
• Design, implementation and integration of automated test setups involving
  • Test requirements capture
  • Bespoke software to execute test specifications
  • Correct capture of test results in the database system
  • Validation of test methods and assessment of test system accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility
  • Standard test equipment
  • Custom mechanical fixtures, the fabrication of which can be outsourced or done using our own 3D printer
  • Fittings and pipework
  • Custom circuit boards and cabling
• Development, version control and documentation of test software that is architected to
  • Have an intuitive user interface
  • Adapt to evolving sensor and module designs & requirements
  • Easily integrate new test equipment
• Peer review of test software to scrutinise code ahead of deployment
• Development of specifications, methods and plans for
  • Sensor performance characterisation
  • Verification of compliance to sensor product specifications
  • Emulation of production test methods, for correlation testing
• Development and implementation of bespoke data analysis tools (written in MatLab, Python etc.) for the processing, evaluation and interpretation of test data generated by the Test Engineering group to support the creation of test reports
• Efficient and timely execution of test plans
• Development of test methods for investigation of sensor performance anomalies or failures including hands-on investigation of anomalies and failures.
• Thorough review and approval of test reports produced by the Test Engineering group

Test Engineering capability development

• Contributing to Flusso planning tool and process development
• Contribution to test lab infrastructure requirements, specifications, design and implementation
• Supervision and mentoring of junior Test Engineers to help raise their effectiveness, productivity and quality of output

Qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience

A bachelor’s degree in an Engineering or Science subject

Knowledge, skills and experience is required in respect of all responsibilities of the role listed above, and specifically:

• Comprehensive knowledge of test and measurement, theory and practice
• Integration of test solutions (ideally for flow and/or gas sensors) with bespoke mechanical parts, electronic subsystems and software
• An understanding of fluid mechanics and gas laws
• Development of test software (in LabVIEW) using rigorous source code control (ideally using git)
• Use of databases for test result storage and query/pre-processing functions
• Data analysis and visualisation in MatLab, Python or similar
• Analysis of test results and presentation of the information extracted, with a solid grasp of relevant statistical methods
• Test jig and fixture design using 3D CAD tools (preferably SolidWorks)
• Working to lab protocols, procedures and health and safety rules
• Working in an ISO 9001:2015 quality system

Knowledge and experience in these areas would be an advantage:

• Use of 3D printers for making custom mechanical parts
• Electronics, and use of electronic test equipment for debugging test rigs
• Working in a business mass producing high-volume, low-cost components
• Time-series visualisation of test results (we use Grafana)
• Silicon-MEMS component fabrication, packaging and handling

Profile

• Hands on with a detail conscious and meticulous approach and ‘right first time’
• mindset
• Strong commercial awareness
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment with tight
• project timescales
• Pro-active, positive, innovative and enthusiastic by nature; takes initiative.
• Flexible and responsive to changing needs of projects and the business
• Able to prioritise work appropriately and consider the trade-off of the scope,
• timescale and quality of project deliverables.
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Keen to learn

• Base salary
• Bonus (% of base salary) based on company and personal performance
• Workplace pension contribution 3% of full base salary (we can trade with salary level for higher)
• Bupa Cash Plan Level 3 (employee only)
• Private Medical insurance with cover for spouse/partner and dependent children
• Group Life Insurance covers up to 4 x salary
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (adjusted for part time roles)
• Support for relocation (loan discharged over two years service)