Manufacturing Test Engineer – Vehicle Systems

Job Title: Manufacturing Test Engineer – Vehicle Systems

Salary: £42,000–£57,000 depending on skills demonstrated

Contract: Full time & permanent – 37.50

Location: Desford, Leicestershire

The Opportunity

Interested in working hands-on with full vehicle systems in a high-volume manufacturing environment? As a Manufacturing Test Engineer, you will play a key role in end-of-line (EOL) and functional testing, ensuring machines meet defined performance specifications across engine, hydraulic and integrated systems.

Working within a highly skilled Manufacturing Engineering team, you will support production by diagnosing test failures, improving test capability and embedding robust, repeatable processes. You’ll work closely with engineering, maintenance and operations teams to deliver reliable, high-quality products while driving continuous improvement across production systems.

As a Manufacturing Test Engineer, you are accountable for, but not limited to:

• Execute and support end-of-line (EOL) vehicle testing across engine, hydraulic and integrated systems, ensuring machines meet defined performance and quality standards.

• Diagnose and resolve test failures across vehicle systems, test equipment and control logic, acting as an escalation point to support production recovery and minimise downtime.

• Analyse test data and system outputs to validate performance and support structured root cause investigations.

• Support and maintain production test systems, ensuring reliable execution, data integrity and effective fault detection.

• Develop and implement improvements to production test processes, diagnostics and fault-finding methods to enhance robustness, repeatability and first-time pass rates.

• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by defining test requirements, validating methods and introducing new test capability into production.

• Ensure test processes and equipment operate in line with safety, quality and environmental standards, supporting compliant and reliable manufacturing operations.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined.

What You Can Demonstrate:

Level Working Knowledge

• Engineering – Manufacturing (MFG): Applies manufacturing engineering principles to support EOL testing and production systems, ensuring equipment and processes meet performance, safety and quality requirements. Supports introduction of test capability and its integration into production aligned to NPI and operational needs.

• Problem Solving: Uses structured fault-finding techniques to diagnose and resolve production test failures across vehicle systems and test equipment. Identifies root causes and implements corrective actions to minimise downtime and improve operational performance.

• Analytical Thinking: Interprets test data, signals and system outputs to validate performance against specifications and support root cause investigations. Uses data-driven insights to improve diagnostics, fault detection and overall test robustness.

• Manufacturing Processes: Operates within and improves production test processes to ensure consistency, repeatability and efficient throughput. Supports continuous improvement by refining test methods, diagnostics and standards within a high-volume environment.

What You May Have:

• Applies knowledge of production test systems to ensure reliable execution, maintain data integrity and improve fault detection capability within manufacturing environments.

• Demonstrates practical understanding of vehicle systems (engine, hydraulics, controls) to diagnose behaviour during test and effectively resolve system-level issues.

• Utilises structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g. 5 Why, Fishbone, 8D) to identify root causes and implement corrective actions that support production recovery and prevent recurrence.

• Contributes to New Product Introduction (NPI) by supporting the integration of new test methods and enhancing production test capability to meet evolving product requirements.

Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.

Just a quick heads-up: We start reviewing applications as soon as they come in, so if you’re interested, don’t wait too long! We may close the advert early if we feel we’ve got a strong pool of potentially suitable applicants.

Don’t miss out, get your application in soon!

What You Will Get
One Company, Limitless Opportunities

Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. We do business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment.

Careers at Caterpillar are limitless, we have opportunities in Engineering, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain and so much more. You can create the career you want. It’s your time and talent, make it count.

Our Sustainability Commitment

Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, one of our five Values in Action. It is part of who we are and what we do. We actively lead sustainable green initiatives to preserve the environment, help reduce poverty with the Caterpillar Foundation and stay involved in the communities we help build.

Benefits: 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity to buy additional holiday, 10% Bonus, contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution up to 10%, contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution, Employee Support Networks – join groups that offer support, connection, and a sense of community, optional flexible benefits including access to private health and dental care plans, EV car lease etc

Travel: Up to 5% UK travel may be required, including visits to other facilities as needed.