Programme Lead Engineer

Programme Lead Engineer – Body Test Operations

Location: Travel between Gaydon, Whitley, Ryton, and other West Midlands sites
Contract Type: Ongoing, Inside IR35
Rate: £33.53 per hour (Umbrella)

Role Overview:

We are seeking a proactive and skilled Programme Lead Engineer – Body Test Operations to join the Body Test Operations (BTO) team. This team is crucial in planning and managing physical prototype test properties, or ‘rigs’, which support the development and approval of body components for new vehicle programmes. These rigs consist of painted body shells equipped only with the parts necessary for specific tests, alongside several kits of loose parts to facilitate the testing process.

In this role, the Programme Lead Engineer – Body Test Operations will be responsible for overseeing the planning and delivery of approximately £5 million worth of test properties essential for the launch of a new range of electric vehicles. This cross-functional role involves close collaboration with engineers, Purchasing, MP&L, and suppliers to ensure the successful delivery of prototype properties and test kits.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver properties required for new product launches.
• Manage the prototype phase of properties and test kits.
• Consolidate test property requests into cost and time-optimised plans for upcoming testing phases.
• Perform virtual builds using CAD visualisation systems.
• Integrate plans into the prototype Bill Of Materials (BoM) and part procurement systems.
• Collaborate with engineers, Purchasing, MP&L, and suppliers to procure necessary parts and assemblies.
• Oversee the integration of plans into the physical delivery space.
• Lead and participate in meetings with Programme Teams and Test & Development teams.
• Support ongoing testing to ensure successful completion.
• Close out programmes once all properties are delivered, and testing is successfully completed.

Skills Required:

• Robust and demonstrable Excel skills with an understanding of Bills Of Materials (BoMs) and CAD visualisation.
• Engineering and testing background.
• Project management with proven cross-functional working abilities.

Experience Required:

• Automotive engineering and testing experience.
• Excellent attention to detail, with strong issue follow-up and resolution skills.
• Exceptional cross-functional communication skills.

Experience Preferred:

• Experience in automotive subsystem testing for body engineering or similar industries.
• Test and Development plan experience.

Additional Information:

• Travel between Gaydon, Whitley, Ryton, and other West Midlands sites is required.