Test Development Engineer

Job Description

We're seeking a Test Development Engineer to lead end‑to‑end testing for Brill Power's Battery Intelligence Platform, covering BMS and DC/DC systems. You'll design test strategies, build automation (Python, GitLab CI), and execute environmental, reliability, and compliance campaigns to generate high‑quality evidence for product confidence and certification. Working closely with electronics, firmware, and manufacturing, you'll root‑cause issues, validate fixes, and contribute to qualification against relevant standards.

Brill Power, a subsidiary of Palmer Energy Technology, works at the cutting edge of energy storage, power electronics, and battery software. We are a team of problem solvers and innovators, keen to make energy storage as efficient, sustainable, and widely adopted as possible.

Established in 2016, Brill Power is a deep-tech company with roots in the Engineering Department at the University of Oxford. Acquired in 2025 by Palmer Energy Technology Limited, we continue to grow our impact and expand to new markets. We are a small and talented team based in Oxford who are looking for new members to join us for the next chapter of Brill Power.

The Role

Own test strategy and plans for BMS/DC/DC features, safety functions, and system performance. You'll design test strategies, build automation (Python, GitLab CI), and execute environmental, reliability, and compliance campaigns to generate high‑quality evidence for product confidence and certification. Working closely with electronics, firmware, and manufacturing, you'll root‑cause issues, validate fixes, and contribute to qualification against relevant standards.

Job Overview and responsibilities

You will lead end‑to‑end test development and execution for our BMS and DC/DC systems-designing test plans, building automation, and generating high‑quality evidence that drives product confidence and certification. Key responsibilities include:

• Own test strategy and plans for BMS/DC/DC features, safety functions, and system performance.
• Develop automated test frameworks and pipelines (Python, GitLab CI) for firmware, HIL, and system testing.
• Design and execute environmental, reliability, and compliance test campaigns; analyze results and drive corrective actions.
• Build and maintain instrumentation setups (oscilloscopes, power analyzers, DAQ) and data workflows.
• Author clear test artefacts: procedures, scripts, datasets, reports, and traceability.
• Partner with design, firmware, and manufacturing to root‑cause issues and validate fixes.
• Contribute to qualification toward relevant standards (e.g., DO‑160, IEC 61508, UN 38.3, functional safety).

Skills and Experience

What you'll bring (we don't expect every box ticked)

• Experience with hardware/software test development (Python, GitLab) and test automation
• Competence in designing and executing test plans for BMS/DCDC or power electronics
• Hands‑on with instrumentation (oscilloscopes, power analyzers, DAQ) and data analysis
• Familiarity with reliability, environmental, and compliance testing (e.g., DO‑160, IEC 61508)
• Strong documentation, version control, and CI/CD practices for test artefacts
• Collaboration with design, firmware, and manufacturing to root‑cause and resolve issues
• Structured problem‑solving, clear communication, and a bias for action

Successful candidates will have experience with the following:

• Experience with hardware/software test development (Python, GitLab) and test automation
• Competence in designing and executing test plans for BMS/DCDC or power electronics
• Hands‑on with instrumentation (oscilloscopes, power analyzers, DAQ) and data analysis
• Familiarity with reliability, environmental, and compliance testing (e.g., DO‑160, IEC 61508)
• Strong documentation, version control, and CI/CD practices for test artefacts
• Collaboration with design, firmware, and manufacturing to root‑cause and resolve issues
• Structured problem‑solving, clear communication, and a bias for action

Nice to Have

• Experience with HIL frameworks, CAN/Ethernet test tooling, and embedded logging
• Exposure to aerospace battery standards (DO‑311A), UN 38.3 transport tests, or AS9100 QMS practices
• Power electronics test of DC/DC converters, fault injection, and thermal characterization

Working Style

• Fast-learner, eager to pick up new technologies
• Pragmatic; comfortable with ambiguity and changing requirements
• Able to work autonomously
• Comfortable working in a small team with a diverse range of responsibilities

Brill Power Benefits

In addition to a fun and friendly team and working environment, we offer:

• Competitive salary, based on experience
• 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays
• Benefits package to be agreed
• Full time, permanent role, with flexible working hours
• Regular team social events

Get in touch

There is no perfect candidate, and no single person can do it all, but if this sounds like you and you're looking for somewhere to thrive, we want to hear from you.

Brill Power is an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all, without regard to their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, gender reassignment, national origin, sexual orientation, or age.

Please send a CV and cover letter to [email protected], clearly indicating where your skills and experience match what we are looking for in this role.

Brill Power is proud to be a certified Oxford Living Wage employer.