Electrical Test Design - Lead Engineer

Located in Wimborne, Dorset, Eaton's Aerospace division is a global leader in aerospace fuel systems, renowned for delivering fully integrated solutions for both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

Our Wimborne facility specialises in cutting-edge air-to-air refuelling systems, advanced refuelling probes, air-to-air and air-to-ground launch systems utilising both pneumatic and pyrotechnic ejection technologies, as well as a range of Defensive Aids Sub-Systems.

With over 80 years of industry experience, we are recognised as the world’s leading provider of air-to-air refuelling systems, offering fifth-generation solutions to Air Forces worldwide.

Our legacy of innovation and technical excellence sets us apart as the most advanced air-to-air refuelling supplier on the globe.

Provide technical leadership within the Electrical Test Design team for the development, validation, introduction and lifecycle support of automated electrical test solutions for aerospace applications.

The role leads complex electrical test design activities from concept through to implementation, ensuring solutions are safe, robust, reusable, maintainable and aligned with project, customer and business objectives.

The Lead Engineer acts as a senior technical authority for automated test equipment, software-based ground support equipment, test hardware, software-controlled test systems, documentation, validation and configuration-controlled engineering outputs. The role provides guidance, review, mentoring and technical decision-making support to improve the capability, consistency and technical standard of the Electrical Test Design function.

• Provide technical leadership for complex electrical test design activities, including automated test equipment, test hardware, software-controlled test systems and associated documentation.

• Lead electrical test solutions from concept through to operational use, ensuring appropriate consideration of safety, value, reuse, maintainability, validation and configuration management.

• Define and guide the technical approach for assigned ATE projects and work packages.

• Review and approve technical documentation relating to requirements, design, verification, test procedures, operating processes and controlled introduction of electrical test equipment.

• Act as a technical point of escalation for complex electrical test design issues, using practical engineering judgement and structured problem-solving.

• Mentor and coach less experienced engineers, supporting technical capability, good engineering practice and confidence within the team.

• Apply advanced aerospace engineering principles to solve complex problems involving electrical systems, electronic hardware, software-controlled test equipment and laboratory instrumentation.

• Support root cause investigations, failure analysis, corrective actions and technical reviews relating to test equipment, test processes and product test issues.

• Collaborate across Eaton sites, functions, suppliers and customers to align technical approaches and support wider business objectives.

• Incorporate relevant technology, product, process and industry trends into electrical test design decisions where appropriate.

• Deputise for the Electrical Test Design Manager on technical matters when required.

Engineering or science degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.

Minimum 10 years within engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, electrical test, automated test equipment, product development or a closely related technical environment.

• Strong understanding of electrical systems, electronic hardware and automated electrical test design.

• Able to interpret, review and challenge circuit diagrams, interface definitions, test requirements and technical documentation.

• Experience designing, developing, validating or supporting electrical test hardware and software-controlled test systems.

• Able to debug equipment using laboratory instruments such as digital multimeters, oscilloscopes and other electrical/electronic test equipment.

• Experience with LabVIEW or comparable software-controlled test environments is desirable.

• Understanding of requirements management, validation, configuration management and lifecycle control of engineering outputs.

• Working knowledge of aerospace engineering standards, safety expectations and controlled introduction of equipment into production or test environments.

• Able to assess trade-offs between technical requirements, safety, cost, schedule, reuse,…