Engineering Testing and Validation Recruitment
Engineering and technical appointments within advanced manufacturing.
Testing and validation businesses depend on technical people with rare, hands-on expertise. Core Search recruits test engineers, technicians, quality and laboratory leaders for testing houses, laboratories and research facilities.
Who we recruit for
Mechanical testing laboratories
Fatigue, static, materials and component testing for demanding industries.
Validation and certification
Product validation, qualification and certification services.
Materials and metallurgy
Materials testing, failure analysis and metallurgical services.
Non-destructive testing
NDT and inspection services across aerospace, energy and manufacturing.
Research facilities
National laboratories and research campuses, including the fusion and science cluster around Culham and Harwell.
In-house test departments
Manufacturers building their own test and validation capability.
Disciplines we recruit in testing and validation
CNC, CAM and Toolroom
Machinists and toolmakers producing test specimens and fixtures.
What makes testing and validation hiring different
Test expertise is often specific to a method, a material or a standard, and the people who have it are spread thinly across the country.
Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 and customer approvals mean experience counts, and good laboratory leaders are rarely on the market.
How we search
- We challenge the specification where it narrows the pool without adding value, such as requiring one test method when related experience will transfer.
- We map the market before we start, so you know how many people fit and what they earn.
- We headhunt directly across laboratories, manufacturers and research facilities.
- We test technical depth before you meet anyone: methods, standards, accreditations and equipment.
- We manage the offer, notice period and counter-offer, so a good process does not fall over at the last step.
Questions
Do you recruit laboratory technicians as well as engineers?
Yes, for experienced technician roles that need specialist test skills, as well as engineers and laboratory leaders.
How quickly can you shortlist?
For most roles, we share a market view within days and a shortlist within two weeks. Rare skills take longer.
What areas do you cover?
Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands are our base, and we recruit nationally.
Hiring for a laboratory or test facility?
Tell us what you are trying to hire and we will tell you honestly what the market looks like.