Hardware Test Engineer

Expleo is a trusted partner for end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting for digital transformation. We help businesses harness unrelenting technological change to successfully deliver innovations that will help them gain a competitive advantage and improve the everyday lives of people around the globe.

As part of our continued expansion in Aerospace Systems Engineering, we are seeking a Hardware Test Engineer to support the development and certification of next-generation electric rotorcraft (eVTOL) platforms.

This role is critical to ensuring the integrity, performance, and safety of hardware systems through rigorous ground-based and rig-based testing, supporting both verification and certification activities. You will be working on cutting-edge aerospace systems including structural assemblies, propulsion components, and integrated aircraft systems.

This is a hands-on engineering role offering the opportunity to contribute directly to the validation of innovative electric aviation technology as it progresses towards certification and entry into service.

This role is Hybrid working in Bristol.

Within this role you will be responsible for

• Develop and execute hardware test plans covering structural, propulsion, and system-level testing.
• Define and implement test strategies, including selection of methods, instrumentation, and success criteria aligned to programme needs.
• Design and support test rigs, fixtures, and instrumentation setups, ensuring safe and effective test execution.
• Conduct laboratory, rig-based, and ground testing, ensuring accurate data acquisition and traceability
• Analyse test data to assess performance, validate requirements, and identify anomalies
• Produce high-quality test reports, including results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Support system functional testing to demonstrate correct operation before and/or after installation on aircraft.
• Collaborate with systems, design, and safety teams to ensure test activities are aligned with programme objectives
• Support test readiness activities, including preparation of procedures, risk assessments, and safety provisions
• Assist with integration testing and troubleshooting, including hardware-software interactions where applicable
• Contribute to certification activities, supporting compliance demonstration through structured test evidence
• Ensure all test activities comply with relevant standards, processes, and safety requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Chartered engineer or working towards chartered status within a recognised and relevant professional body. 
• Applications are invited from candidates who may hold HNC/HND in a relevant engineering discipline in concert with significant and demonstrable subject matter expertise in the system domain

• Proven experience in hardware testing within aerospace or highly regulated industries

• Experience working with structural, mechanical, or electrical systems testing

  Understanding of test lifecycle processes, from planning through execution and reporting

• Experience with test planning, execution, and reporting in an engineering environment

• Strong knowledge of instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and measurement techniques

• Experience designing or supporting test rigs and fixtures

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and test requirements

• Strong analytical skills with experience in test data processing and interpretation

• Hands-on practical skills in laboratory or test environments

  Strong problem-solving capability and ability to troubleshoot hardware issues

• Clear and concise technical reporting and documentation skills

  Good communication skills, with the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams

• Experience with structural testing, vibration testing, or propulsion system testing (e.g. DO-160 environments)
• Experience supporting flight test or aircraft integration programmes
• Familiarity with electric propulsion systems, batteries, and high-voltage systems
• Knowledge of EASA certification processes and compliance-driven testing
• Experience with test automation tools (e.g. LabVIEW, TestStand or similar)
• Exposure to advanced air mobility (AAM) or eVTOL programmes
• Understanding of loads, fatigue, and stress analysis principles (particularly for structural test correlation

• Before applying for this role, you must be eligible to live and work within the UK in accordance with UK government guidelines
• Please note: visa sponsorship is not available for this role

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges  
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects   
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses  
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo 

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
  • Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
  • Communicating and promoting vacancies
  • Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
  • Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
  • Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”. 

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive