Senior​/Principal Materials Test Engineer

Position: Senior/ Principal Materials Test Engineer
About the Role:

Join a leading test and measurement organisation and play a key role in advancing fatigue and durability testing capability. We are looking for a Senior / Principal Materials Test Engineer to provide technical leadership within our Advanced Materials Characterisation and Testing team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineer with a strong background in materials testing and the design, build, and maintenance of mechanical test rigs to take ownership of day-to-day laboratory operations and help shape future capability.

This is a hands-on role at the heart of our operation. You’ll lead mechanical, fatigue, and durability testing programmes across both commercial and R&D projects, providing technical guidance and driving the development of new test methods. You’ll also ensure our laboratory runs at peak performance through the maintenance, calibration, and continuous improvement of testing equipment.

As the technical authority for our labs, you’ll oversee rigs, equipment, and experiments—ensuring delivery is safe, efficient, and to the highest standard. Working closely with the Head of Materials Testing and engineering teams, you’ll turn requirements into robust test solutions while mentoring junior engineers and apprentices and helping evolve our durability testing capability.

This role is based at our site in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.This role is fully site-based, with onsite working expected 5 days per week.

What You Will Be Doing:

Owning the day-to-day safe and effective operation of mechanical test rigs and laboratory facilities to ensure on-time delivery

Conducting mechanical testing in support of commercial and R&D programmes

Translating complex or novel durability test requirements into safe, robust, and practical test setups

Troubleshooting technical issues and minimising downtime to maintain delivery continuity

Leading ISO 17025 accreditation activities and ensuring ongoing compliance with quality standards

Maintaining laboratory assets, including rigs, fixturing, and instrumentation, ensuring they remain calibrated and fit for purpose

Leading risk assessments and developing safe systems of work through procedures and work instructions

Producing engineering drawings for test specimens and fixturing for internal and external manufacture

Driving continuous improvement in testing methods, laboratory processes, and data quality

Supervising, mentoring, and developing junior engineers and apprentices, while supporting customer engagement and the external promotion of the laboratory

What You Bring:

Extensive hands-on expertise in mechanical testing, including the design, build, operation, and maintenance of servo-hydraulic test rigs and associated systems

Detailed knowledge of instrumentation, control systems, and data acquisition equipment used in mechanical testing

Demonstrable experience leading or working towards ISO 17025 accreditation and quality systems

Ability to translate complex engineering requirements into practical, safe, and effective test solutions

Solid understanding of laboratory safety, including risk assessments, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER regulations and the development of safe systems of work Proficiency in interpreting and producing engineering drawings for test specimens, fixtures, or equipmentA continuous improvement mindset, with experience enhancing test methods, processes, or data quality

Leadership capability, with experience supervising, mentoring, and developing engineers or apprentices and driving reliable test delivery

Clear and effective communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information effectively to customers, suppliers, and stakeholders

Proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Power Point Hands -on machining skills (e.g. milling and turning) would be desirable but are not essential

Applied knowledge of fatigue test methods would be advantageous but is not essential

To be successful in this role, you will:

Bring a proactive, hands-on approach, with a passion for working at the detail level and seeing ideas through to delivery

Enjoy tackling complex technical challenges and turning concepts into practical,…