Contract Hardware Test Development Engineer

Job Title: Contract Hardware Test Development Engineer
Location: Colchester
Rate: £50 to 60 per hour
Contract Length: Initial 6 month contract
Working Arrangements: Onsite working
IR35 Status: Indicative Outside IR35

I’m looking for a Contract Hardware Test Development Engineer to take ownership of building complete hardware test systems from the ground up. This role suits someone who loves getting hands-on with electronics, designing robust test setups, and translating hardware requirements into structured test plans and automated/semiautomated test solutions.

What you’ll be doing:
- Designing and developing hardware test systems, fixtures, and setups for new and existing products
- Creating test plans, test procedures, and validation documentation from a hardware perspective
- Selecting and integrating test equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, DAQs, instrumentation, etc.)
- Building test rigs, wiring looms, harnesses, and bespoke hardware interfaces
- Working closely with hardware, firmware, and manufacturing teams to ensure test coverage and reliability
- Debugging hardware issues and feeding back into design improvements
- Supporting prototype bring-up, verification, and production test readiness

Key skills & experience
- Strong background in electronics hardware and hands-on test development - Experience building hardware test setups, fixtures, or automated test systems
- Ability to write clear, structured test plans and test documentation
- Comfortable with oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analysers, power supplies, etc.
- Understanding of PCB-level debugging, signal integrity, and hardware validation
- Any experience with Python, or similar test automation tools is beneficial but not essential

This role requires the successful candidate to pass BPSS screening and meet the eligibility criteria for Security Check (SC) clearance.

For more information, please contact Cathy Swain. 
T: (phone number removed)
E: (url removed)