Development Engineer

Location: Rocester

As Development Engineer, you will play a key role in the development, validation, and optimisation of our client’s products and systems. Working across a variety of machine platforms, you will be responsible for ensuring components and systems meet performance, reliability, durability, and customer requirements through rigorous testing, analysis, and continuous improvement activities.

You will contribute to the development of next-generation machines featuring advanced hydraulic architectures, electrified systems, embedded software controls and emerging autonomous technologies. Working across multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will ensure products deliver the performance, durability, reliability and customer value.

We're particularly interested in engineers with experience in Material Handling, Hydraulics and Software/Controls Development who combine practical engineering expertise with a structured approach to problem solving and product validation.

Development Engineer Role:

Product Development & Validation

Lead the planning and execution of development and validation activities to ensure machine systems deliver the required performance, durability and customer value.

Create and deliver test and validation plans aligned to programme objectives.

Support prototype development and evaluate machine performance in real-world operating environments.

Analyse test results and use data-driven insights to improve product robustness, quality and reliability.

Material Handling Systems

Develop and optimise material handling functions, including lifting performance, stability, load management and machine productivity.

Assess machine capability, operator experience and operational efficiency across a range of applications.

Collaborate with design and product engineering teams to enhance machine performance and customer value.

Support investigation of complex machine performance and durability challenges.

Hydraulics Development

Develop and validate hydraulic systems and components, including pumps, valves, actuators and hydraulic circuits.

Evaluate system performance, efficiency and cont rollability through machine and rig-based testing.

Identify opportunities to improve hydraulic functionality, reliability and energy efficiency.

Work closely with suppliers, manufacturing teams and design engineers to deliver robust hydraulic solutions.

Software & Controls Development

Support the development, calibration and validation of machine software and electronic control systems.

Verify machine functionality against system requirements and customer expectations.

Collaborate with controls, software and electrical engineers to optimise machine performance.

Experience of CAN communication, HMI development, machine calibration, Matlab/Simulink, embedded control systems or functional safety principles would be beneficial.

Testing & Issue Resolution

Plan and conduct laboratory, rig and machine-based testing activities.

Use structured root cause analysis techniques to investigate product and system issues.

Interpret machine and test data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.

Support corrective actions through to validation and implementation.

Programme Delivery

Support development programmes to achieve quality, timing and cost objectives.

Contribute to engineering reviews, gateway assessments and change management activities.

Work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing and supplier teams.

Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and engineering best practice.

Development Engineer Requirements:

Essential:

* Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline.

* Minimum 2 years' experience within product development, validation or test engineering environments.

* Possess strong analytical, problem-solving and investigative skills.

* Experience supporting testing, development or validation activities.

* Comfortable working both hands-on with machinery and within an engineering office environment.

Beneficial:

* Experience working with off-highway, automotive, agricultural, mobile machinery or similar products.

* Experience in material handling systems…