Lead Verification and Validation Test Engineer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 25 March 2026
LOCATION
Banbury, Oxfordshire
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
CATEGORY
Engineering
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Vehicle Validation Data Acquisition Homologation Testing Team Leadership DVP Management Instrumentation Certification Testing Data Analysis

FULL DESCRIPTION

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] Advanced Technology is seeking a Lead Verification & Validation (V&V) Test Engineer to lead the Design Verification Plan (DVP) for low-volume, high-performance product programs. This role involves team leadership, DVP ownership, test timing management, and driving improvements in validation processes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in vehicle and system-level validation, with experience in instrumentation, data acquisition, and global certification testing.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Team Leadership & Coordination
  • Manage and mentor a team of V&V Test Engineers, ensuring effective allocation of work, development of team capability, and delivery against program milestones.
  • Act as the central point of coordination for all validation and test activities across commodities and vehicle systems.
  • DVP Ownership & Test Timing
  • Define, manage, and maintain the overall Design Verification Plan (DVP), ensuring alignment with program requirements and gateways, cross-disciplinary:
  • Electrical/electronics, controls, software, NVH, structural, durability, dynamics, thermal, fluids, environmental
  • Oversee test scheduling and timing plans, ensuring tests are booked, resources prepared, and vehicles/components delivered on time and to the correct specification.
  • Monitor progress of all test activities, proactively addressing risks, delays, and dependencies.
  • Verification & Validation Delivery
  • Oversee the planning, preparation, and execution of system and vehicle-level tests, including global certification and homologation campaigns.
  • Ensure accurate data acquisition and instrumentation setups, data quality, and test coverage against requirements.
  • Review test data, reports, and feedback from engineers to ensure accuracy, consistency, and relevance.
  • Process Development & Improvement
  • Drive continuous improvement in V&V processes, methods, and tools, ensuring best practices in requirements-based testing, data handling, and reporting.
  • Standardise templates, workflows, and reporting to improve efficiency and traceability.
  • Champion lessons learned from test campaigns and embed them into future processes.
  • Communication & Reporting
  • Provide regular updates to senior management and program leadership on DVP status, test progress, risks, and results.
  • Ensure fast feedback loops, with preliminary findings communicated quickly to design and project teams before full report completion.
  • Act as a key liaison with internal engineering teams, Tier 1 suppliers, and external test facilities.
  • Global Testing Support
  • Coordinate international test trips, ensuring correct planning, logistics, and resourcing for engineers and vehicles.
  • Provide senior technical support during test campaigns, including certification and homologation events.

Who are we looking for?

  • Degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical, or relevant Engineering discipline.
  • Significant experience in automotive verification and validation, ideally in low-volume, high-performance or motorsport programs.
  • Strong experience leading and managing cross-functional vehicle DVP, including homologation and certification activities
  • Strong knowledge of instrumentation, data acquisition systems, calibration, and data analysis.
  • Experience in certification and homologation testing (UNECE, FMVSS, WLTP, or equivalent).
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and coordinate a team of engineers.
  • Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to balance hands-on testing and strategic oversight.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to provide clear technical direction and timely reporting.
  • Willingness to travel internationally for extended test campaigns (up to 3 weeks at a time).
  • Technical understanding of the required testing to be able to challenge for better ways of achieving success
  • Strong problem solving to unlock progress when the way forwards is not clear and provide clarity to stakeholders.

What can we offer you?

  • An attractive salary which will grow in line with your ongoing development and impact.
  • 25 days holiday (which increases with long service) with an opportunity to purchase up to 15 extra days.
  • Training opportunities for continuing professional development.
  • Onsite subsidised staff restaurant.
  • Car and pension salary sacrifice schemes.
  • Cycle scheme .
  • Exercise classes.
  • Paid time off for volunteering.
  • Consultations with our Fit 4 Life expert.
  • Social events throughout the year.
  • Exclusive company discounts.
  • Life assurance.
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