Research & Development Technician

About Us

Gardner Denver is a leading provider of mission‑critical flow control and compression equipment, and associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services. It sells across multiple attractive end‑markets within the industrial, energy and medical industries. Its broad and complete range of compressor, vacuum and blower products and services, along with its application expertise and over 160 years of engineering heritage, enable Gardner Denver to provide differentiated product and service offerings for its customers’ specific needs.

Research and Development Technician

Redditch, Worcestershire.

To assemble and test prototype compressors. Apply expertise, theories, and principles to both simple and complex work in test and validation by conducting test programs, methods, and procedures to ensure the design, product characteristics and documentation meet the requirements of the product specification and are completed in appropriate time scales. Working as a key member of the high‑pressure engineering team to aid in the development of new product and work with manufacturing to aid transition from prototype to production.

• Build prototype products, assemblies and test equipment, jigs and fixtures as required.
• Machining and/or modification of components in development as required.
• Evaluate existing products for engineering change based on issues raised by customers, suppliers or internal team.
• Participate in and progress the day‑to‑day allocated test and validation activities.
• Set‑up test programs which ensure appropriate product test and validation both on‑site and with third‑party test houses or customers as necessary.
• Record test data and produce technical analysis to support product development or modifications of existing products.
• Keep abreast of new development techniques and technologies and, where appropriate, make suggestions to implement such techniques and to improve effectivity.

• Ideally educated to degree level in mechanical engineering or product design.
• HND or NVQ4 with relevant experience.
• Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of AC electrical systems.
• Data acquisition experience.
• Knowledge of pneumatic systems desirable, but not essential.
• Driving licence.

Fully site‑based in Redditch, with occasional travel to development sites (both UK and international).

• General fitting, assembly and test set‑up skills.
• High level IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office suite.
• Minimum 2 years work experience in development of rotating machinery or packaging of machinery.
• Team player with good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to identify and solve technical problems.
• Ability to interface with staff at all levels in corresponding departments (i.e. Product Management, Manufacturing & Quality, as well as with suppliers and customers).

• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays (option to purchase 5 days after probation period).
• 7 % employer pension contribution.
• Westfield Health Medical Cash Plan cover.
• Death in service benefit of 4 × salary.
• Cycle scheme (after probation period).
• Electric car scheme (after 1 year employment).
• 10 % of salary in shares after 1 year of employment.
• Costco Gold company member allowing employees to join.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Enhanced maternity & paternity policies.