Lead Test Engineer

Are you an experienced Test Engineer looking to take the next step in your career? Do you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, driving continuous improvement, and leading by example in a high-performing manufacturing environment?

At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, we're shaping the future of semiconductor and advanced materials technology. Our systems help customers around the world develop groundbreaking innovations in areas such as medical devices, diagnostics, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and quantum computing.

We are seeking a Lead Test Engineer to join our Final Test Team at our site in Seven Beach, Bristol, and play a key role in ensuring our highly sophisticated systems are delivered to the highest standards of quality, performance, and reliability.

The Opportunity

As Lead Test Engineer, you'll combine hands-on technical expertise with leadership responsibility, ensuring products are tested, documented, and delivered on schedule. You'll drive quality improvements, support customer acceptance activities, and help create a culture of continuous improvement across the department.

This role is ideal for someone with strong electro-mechanical test experience who enjoys mentoring others, solving technical problems, and making a real impact on manufacturing performance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the testing and validation of complex electro-mechanical systems, ensuring products meet quality, performance, and delivery targets.


• Ensure all testing activities are carried out in accordance with approved procedures and documentation requirements.


• Act as a technical lead within the Test Team, supporting colleagues and maintaining smooth departmental operations.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, increase efficiency, and reduce manufacturing costs.


• Utilise FRACAS and fault reporting systems to capture, analyse, and resolve product issues.


• Promote best practices in Health & Safety, quality standards, cleanliness, and 5S principles.


• Support customer acceptance testing and act as a key point of contact during customer visits.


• Work collaboratively with Manufacturing Engineering and other departments to resolve issues and improve processes.


• Provide input and support for site installations and system commissioning activities when required.


• Deputise for the Test Team Leader when necessary to ensure the effective operation of the department.

About You

You'll be a technically capable and proactive engineer with a passion for quality and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience testing and troubleshooting complex electro-mechanical systems.


• Strong problem-solving and fault-finding abilities.


• Experience working in a manufacturing or engineering environment with defined quality standards.


• Ability to influence, motivate, and support colleagues to achieve common objectives.


• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple teams.


• Strong IT literacy and confidence working with technical documentation and reporting systems.

Desirable Experience

• HNC qualification (or equivalent) in an engineering discipline.


• HND qualification (or equivalent).


• Experience working with vacuum technology and RF systems.


• Previous leadership, mentoring, or team coordination experience.

What Success Looks Like

You'll be someone who:

• Leads by example and inspires high standards.


• Takes ownership and accountability for outcomes.


• Challenges existing processes and identifies smarter ways of working.


• Supports and develops colleagues to achieve their full potential.


• Maintains a strong customer focus in everything you do.


• Thrives in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

Why Join Oxford Instruments?

At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, you'll work on cutting-edge technology that enables some of the world's most exciting scientific and industrial breakthroughs. You'll be part of a collaborative and innovative team where your ideas are valued, your development is supported, and your contributions make a genuine difference.

If you're ready to take ownership, influence change, and help deliver world-class products to customers worldwide, we'd love to hear from you.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary


• 25 days annual leave + half-day Fridays


• Private healthcare


• Share incentive plan


• Pension scheme


• Flexible benefits tailored to your needs


• Structured career development opportunities


• A collaborative environment with excellent work-life balance

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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and would ask you to get in touch if you are concerned about any barriers you feel you may be facing in your application process with us.

Note to recruitment agencies: Oxford Instruments operates a Preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency CVs. Please do not forward candidate details in response to this advert, or to any Oxford Instruments employees or other company locations. Oxford Instruments is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs.