Engineering Test & Validation Lead

Birmingham, West Midlands (County) Sauce People Ltd Engineering Test & Validation Lead UK-Based | Remote with UK Travel | Full-Time Influence engineering decisions through evidence, not opinion. We're looking for a Engineering Test & Validation Lead to become the technical authority for product testing, materials performance, validation and reliability. This is a high-impact role for an experienced engineer who enjoys understanding why products succeed, fail, wear and degrade under real-world operating conditions. You'll combine hands-on engineering, data analysis and technical judgement to generate the evidence that drives critical decisions on product performance, durability and material selection. You'll work across the full product lifecycle, developing test programmes, analysing performance data, investigating failures and presenting clear, evidence-based recommendations to both internal stakeholders and customers. If you're the type of engineer who enjoys challenging assumptions, interpreting complex data and turning technical findings into compelling business cases, we'd love to hear from you. As the technical lead for testing and validation activities, you'll play a key role in helping shape future product development and customer solutions. You'll: * Lead the development of test strategies and validation programmes for new and existing products * Design and optimise test methods, fixtures, instrumentation and measurement systems * Analyse product performance, durability and reliability under demanding operating conditions * Investigate failures and performance issues using structured root cause methodologies * Evaluate materials, wear mechanisms, friction behaviour and degradation processes * Correlate laboratory and field performance data to support engineering decisions * Produce high-quality technical reports and recommendations * Present findings and defend conclusions to customers, engineering teams and senior stakeholders * Support product qualification, verification and release activities * Drive continuous improvement in testing capability, laboratory processes and validation methodologies We're interested in engineers who combine strong technical expertise with excellent analytical and communication skills. Essential * Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in a relevant engineering discipline * Experience developing and delivering structured test and validation programmes * Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and draw robust conclusions * Experience investigating failures and identifying root causes * Excellent technical report writing and presentation skills * Ability to communicate complex engineering concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences * Confidence presenting technical recommendations to customers and stakeholders Desirable * Experience in materials performance, tribology, wear or friction-related applications * Product durability, endurance or accelerated life testing experience * Knowledge of material degradation and failure mechanisms * Experience developing test rigs or laboratory capability * Reliability engineering or qualification testing experience * Familiarity with FMEA, root cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies * Experience operating within quality-led engineering environments This is not a role where you'll simply execute predefined tests. You'll be trusted to develop testing strategies, challenge assumptions, influence engineering direction and provide the evidence that shapes future products and customer solutions. You'll have the opportunity to grow your technical authority, work on complex engineering challenges and become a recognised subject matter expert in materials performance, reliability and validation. What Success Looks Like * Delivering high-quality test programmes that generate meaningful engineering insight * Identifying performance issues and providing technically robust recommendations * Influencing material selection and product design decisions through evidence-based analysis * Building confidence with customers through clear technical communication * Improving product reliability, durability and overall performance * Enhancing testing capability and engineering best practice across the business The role can be based anywhere in the UK, we just have to specify a place for CV Library