Track Test Technician | Circa £35,700 + excellent benefits | 12-month FTC | Onsite | Gamston (Retford) Airport

Love cars? Enjoy driving? Want to be at the cutting edge of vehicle testing? At Thatcham Research, we help shape the future of vehicle safety. From testing the latest driver assistance technologies to supporting pioneering automotive research, our work influences the safety and performance of vehicles used around the world.

We're looking for a Track Test Technician to join our Active Safety team, based on our dual-operations site in Gamston. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys practical hands-on work, has a passion for vehicles, and wants to develop specialist testing and driving skills in a unique automotive environment.

The Role

As a Track Test Technician, you'll play a key role in supporting both commercial and research testing programmes. Working closely with engineers, technicians and operational teams, you'll help prepare vehicles and test facilities, carry out track-based testing activities, and contribute to the development of future vehicle safety assessments.

No two days are the same. One day you could be assisting with vehicle preparation and diagnostics, the next supporting advanced safety testing or maintaining track and testing facilities to ensure everything runs smoothly. You'll also develop your test-driving capability across a variety of on-track and road-based environments.

What you'll be doing:

• Supporting the preparation of test vehicles, equipment and facilities.

• Assisting with vehicle and component testing to support research and commercial projects.

• Developing specialist track-driving and vehicle testing skills.

• Accurately collecting and communicating test data and results.

• Helping maintain our vehicle fleet, track infrastructure and testing facilities.

• Ensuring security and confidentiality requirements are maintained for all test vehicles and components.

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across engineering, research, commercial and operational teams.

Skills & experience that will set you up for success in this role:

We're interested in enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about vehicles and enjoy working in a practical, dynamic environment. You will ideally have:

• A full UK driving licence.

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

• The ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks.

• Good organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.

• Basic Microsoft 365 and IT skills.

• A commitment to safe working practices.

• Automotive industry experience, an apprenticeship, NVQ, City & Guilds qualification, or equivalent experience would be advantageous – but not essential!

A full driving licence is essential for this role. Successful candidates will also be required to complete a criminal record check as part of the appointment process.

Ready to help drive the future of vehicle safety? We'd love to hear from you.

Did you know...

Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don't apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities.

We know the perfect candidate doesn't exist! If you think you have what it takes but don't tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply - it could be a perfect fit!

Perks & Benefits

Salary - Circa £35,700 dependent on skills & experience.

• 10% non-contributory pension

• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays

• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)

• Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)

• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)

• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure

• Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform

• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)

• Benenden Health Care (opt-in benefit)

• Reward & Recognition Programme

• Discounted gym membership

• Sports & Social club

• Payroll charitable giving

• Free on-site parking

When we work

The team work a 9-day fortnight with standard working hours of 8:30 - 17:30 Monday – Thursday and 8:30 - 14:30 alternate Fridays. (Please talk to us if this doesn’t quite suit you – we’re happy to discuss!)

How we work

This role is based on-site at Retford (Gamston) Airport, DN22 0QL – our dual-operational site hosting Automotive and Aviation activities.

What we do

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry.

Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

Our Values

As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change.

Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging.

Recruitment process

We’re proud to manage our recruitment in-house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.

What can you expect from our recruitment process?

• Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application

• An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner

• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams

• Second/Final interview, in-person at our office

• Personalised feedback following your interview – because everyone deserves that!

• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above

Check out our post on using AI during your application and interview!

We’re committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.

All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.

If you experience any technical issues when completing your application, please get in touch at people.team@thatcham.org and we’ll be happy to help.

To ensure fairness and protect your data, we’re unable to accept applications or CVs via email. The best way to apply and to stay updated on your progress, is through our online application form.