This role ensures that assigned features and system-level behaviours are comprehensively tested, defects are clearly documented, and robust test coverage is achieved across simulation, bench, and field environments.
Providing day-to-day technical direction to a team of Test Engineers, the Senior Test Engineer works closely with systems engineers, architects, and developers to ensure requirements are testable, issues are reproducible, and solutions meet performance, reliability, and safety expectations. The test team may be distributed across multiple locations, including offshore teams.
Key Responsibilities Test Planning & Execution
- Translate system requirements and work packages into structured test plans, procedures, and test cases.
- Coordinate and execute functional, integration, performance, and reliability testing activities.
- Maintain traceability between test cases, system requirements, and safety objectives.
- Validate end-to-end workflows within distributed autonomy systems, including communications, perception, control, and fleet management.
- Lead, supervise, and mentor Test Engineers, working closely with the broader V&V team to ensure consistency, quality, and best practices in test execution and reporting.
- Review and approve test cases for completeness, accuracy, and traceability.
- Periodically provide on-site leadership during field testing campaigns, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations.
- Lead initial defect triage, reproduction, and analysis, ensuring issues are clearly documented with supporting logs and evidence.
- Collaborate with developers and systems engineers to provide context and technical insight for efficient defect resolution.
- Track defect progress through to closure and re-test fixes to confirm successful resolution.
- Work closely with Product Owners, Systems Engineers, and Developers to clarify test scope, acceptance criteria, and priorities.
- Support readiness and milestone reviews by reporting test progress, risks, and execution status.
- Partner with automation specialists to integrate appropriate test coverage into automated regression pipelines.
- Identify test gaps, risks, and constraints within verification activities, escalating concerns to the Verification Coordinator as required.
- Enforce safety standards and testing protocols across simulation, bench, and field environments.
- Provide regular updates on test execution progress, defect trends, and coverage metrics.
- Maintain accurate and auditable records of test results, logs, and supporting evidence.
- Strong experience in system-level testing of distributed, safety-critical systems.
- Hands-on background in autonomous systems, robotics, or industrial control environments.
- Proven capability in test case design, execution, and structured defect reporting.
- Familiarity with SIL/HIL environments, test automation frameworks, and field verification activities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead small technical teams while remaining actively involved in hands-on testing.
- Clear and confident communicator, able to collaborate effectively across engineering, product, and verification teams.
DRD Group is a specialist recruitment provider renowned for recruiting quality project teams on major projects within the Energy, Resources, Defence, Renewables and Infrastructure sectors.
DRD Group embraces a diverse workforce culture and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. All work assignments are subject to successful completion of a medical, drug and alcohol screen plus verification of all original certifications and qualifications.