Company Overview
A specialist provider of Automated Test Equipment (ATE), test development services, and bespoke engineering solutions for a wide range of industries and applications. With extensive experience in delivering high-quality, reliable and innovative test systems from concept and development through to production and ongoing support.
As part of its continued growth and strategic development we are seeking an experienced and commercially aware Technical Director to lead the company’s technical direction and maintain the highest standards of engineering excellence.
Role Overview
The Technical Director will serve as the senior technical authority within the business, providing leadership, guidance and oversight across all aspects of Automated Test Equipment development, including software, hardware and mechanical design disciplines.
The successful candidate will possess extensive experience within the ATE industry and will play a critical role in translating customer requirments, technical documentation and operational requirements into robust, reliable and commercially viable proposals and engineering solutions.
This role requires a highly capable technical leader who can engage confidently with customers, support project delivery teams and ensure the company continues to deliver high-quality solutions aligned to customer expectations and business objectives.
The role is office based at the company’s headquarters in Northampton, with occasional travel to customer sites and meetings as required.
Key Responsibilities
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Act as the ultimate technical authority for all ATE-related engineering activities within the business.
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Provide strategic technical leadership across hardware, software and mechanical design functions.
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Review, interpret and analyse customer technical documentation, specifications and requirements.
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Translate customer requirements into practical, reliable and commercially robust technical solutions and proposals and Support quotation, bid and proposal activities with detailed technical input and solution definition.
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Liaise directly with customers throughout project lifecycles, including attendance at scheduled and ad-hoc meetings both remotely and in person.
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Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineering and project delivery teams in Supporting the planning, coordination and successful delivery of multiple concurrent projects.
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Ensure engineering standards, technical quality and best practice are maintained across all projects by Identify technical risks, development challenges and mitigation strategies at an early stage.
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Support continuous improvement initiatives across engineering processes, methodologies and documentation standards.
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Assist with strategic technology and innovation planning to ensure the company remains competitive within the ATE sector.
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Collaborate closely with senior management to support business growth and operational performance.
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Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, industry trends and customer requirements within the automated test and manufacturing sectors.
Essential Skills & Experience
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Extensive experience within the Automated Test Equipment (ATE) industry with a Strong technical understanding of
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Test development processes
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ATE system architecture
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Electronic hardware design and integration and mechanical design
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Test software development particularly Labview and Teststand
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Proven ability to interpret complex technical specifications and customer requirements.
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Strong commercial awareness with the ability to develop practical and cost-effective engineering solutions.
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Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
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Excellent customer-facing and stakeholder management skills.
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Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
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Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
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Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a team environment.
Desirable Skills & Attributes
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Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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Ability to motivate and support others to progress project delivery and achieve business objectives.
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Strong project planning and coordination capabilities.
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Excellent Microsoft Office skills, including advanced use of: Microsoft Project, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
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Previous experience producing and managing project plans and schedules.
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Experience within regulated or high-reliability industries would be advantageous.
Personal Attributes
Professional and customer-focused approach.- Highly analytical with strong attention to detail. - Calm and effective under pressure. - Positive and proactive attitude. - Strong leadership presence and credibility. - Committed to engineering excellence and continuous improvement.
Reporting Structure
The Technical Director will report directly to the Managing Director and will work closely with engineering, project management, operations and commercial functions across the business
