Hardware Test Engineer

This role is available full-time for 37 hours per week

Flexible or compressed working patterns available

This role is based in the office

Your experience in hardware testing can help protect national security.

Want to know how?

As a hardware test engineer, you already know how important it is that products work as they're designed to and meet the needs of the customer. Now imagine that product is used by the UK government to help keep our country safe. Your role doesn't get much more vital than that.

You'll work with development and engineering teams and be proactive in addressing problems early. You'll design and perform vital lab-based development testing to ensure our products meet agreed specification, performance, safety and reliability criteria.

You'll have the opportunity to work across a broad range of technologies and technical capabilities at various stages in the life cycle and have a hand in defining test approach for the organisation.

Analogue and digital communications, IT and networking components, PCBs, modules, sub-systems or complete systems; our products range from the bespoke, one-of-a-kind to repeat builds incorporating commercial-off-the-shelf elements.

You'll be able to contribute to best practice within our test community, working on future technology to ensure our capability and equipment keeps ahead of emerging trends.

Through our test community, you'll be able to access coaching and mentoring from experienced engineers across our business, ensuring your career growth and professional development.

You'll receive ongoing guidance throughout your career with us, not only training, but also by being part of a supportive team.

More About You

To apply for this role, you will already have:

A relevant scientific qualification OR experience in at least two of the following disciplines:

o Audio and Acoustics.

o RF.

o Telecommunications systems including PSTN and ISDN.

o Cellular & Wireless systems such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.

o Satellite Communication systems.

o Video systems.

o Intruder Detection Systems.

The ability to perform in a laboratory environment, including familiarity and use of at least one of the following common laboratory instruments:

o Voltmeters and Ammeters.

o Oscilloscopes.

o Audio generators and Analysers.

o RF signal generators.

o Spectrum and Network Analysers.

o Software Defined Radios.

It would be beneficial if you also have one of the following (although these are not essential):

• Familiarity with automated test environments such as LabVIEW or similar.
• Familiarity with software languages, such as Python.
• Knowledge of Global Satellite Navigation Systems such as GPS, Galileo or GLONASS.
• An understanding of circuit schematics.
• The ability to work within Agile development methodologies.

Your Personal Skills

You will be someone who:

• Has a critical thinking and methodical mindset.
• Has the desire to help to improve testing practices within your team and the wider testing profession.
• Has the drive to continuously improve your own knowledge and skills.
• Enjoys working with complex systems and has a keen eye for detail.
• Is passionate about technology and the latest technological trends.
• Can communicate with colleagues at all levels, across multiple disciplines.

Putting your skills to use

Using your diverse range of skills within a development team, you will:

• Assist with preparation of verification test specifications in conjunction with the design teams.
• Assess hardware products and systems, including interfacing with customer systems.
• Derisk products and developments by providing analysis and opinion both whilst in development verification and during validation.
• Perform detailed manual tests and measurements as defined in strategies, procedures and specifications on both prototypes (to aid and inform the design phase) as well as performing and recording formal tests on representative final designs.
• Assist in preparation of physical test jigs and harnesses to facilitate the required tests and measurements.
• Assist in preparation and running of automated test scripts and routines.
• Document/record results in accordance with our latest data management and development policies and methodologies.

What we Offer

Now that we've explained a bit about what you will we be doing, here's what we can offer you:

• A positive, collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years' service.
• 8 Bank Holiday days off in addition to your annual leave.
• 2 ½ additional days leave (set dates through the year).
• Pension. Our Pension scheme is Alpha. It's competitive.
• Paid overtime or time off in lieu. Your salary is for your contracted hours. If you work more, we believe you should be rewarded for that.
• Flexible or compressed hours to support you to balance your life with your work.
• Paid parental and adoption leave and neonatal policy.
• Training. This can be anything from a ½ day internal course to a distant learning degree. If it's relevant to your career, we will aim to support you.
• Opportunities for mentoring and coaching.
• Free secure parking and allocated parking for car shares.
• Affinity groups – whether you are a person with a disability, part of the LGBTQIA+ community and/or from an ethnic minority background, we provide an inclusive environment, support and a variety of networks for everyone.
• Free onsite gym, open 24 hours a day.
• Bike to work scheme.
• Multi-faith Prayer room. This is a quiet contemplation room for staff to use for prayer or reflection.
• 3 days paid leave a year to support a registered charity of your choice.
• Sports & Social Society. Whether its classic cars or baking, golf or crafting, we have a society for you. We offer regular subsidised theatre tickets and on-site activities.
• On site café and restaurant.
• On site nursery (subject to availability).
• Relocation Loan*.

About HMGCC

We are HMGCC, the engineering specialists at the heart of the UK's national security.

We work with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.

We invest in our people, not only with training but also support throughout your career with us; to allow you to reach your full potential at work, as well as enjoy the work/life balance many aspire to.

To find out more about us and if we're right for you, please visit our website.

Equal Opportunities

Inclusion and diversity really matters to us. It's not just about numbers or visible differences.

HMGCC are committed to providing equal opportunities and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities or who are neurodiverse.

We're not looking for any one type of person. We're looking for talent from all different backgrounds to join our organisation, where we genuinely respect and value each other's differences, as well as our similarities. It makes us even better at what we do.

To find out more about our culture and inclusion and diversity, please visit our website.

We are proud to offer candidates the opportunity to apply through the Offer of Interview Scheme. The scheme ensures eligible candidates are selected for an interview as long as their application meets the minimum criteria for the role.

Apply now

Discover more by clicking 'apply'.

Our recruitment team will process your application once the role has closed and everyone will get a response.

Please note dependent on the recruitment requirements, we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date.

• If you are relocating to the area and renting a property then we can offer an interest free relocation loan of up to £2,500, which is to be repaid in instalments over a period of 24 months.