We are seeking an experienced and safety-focused Test Facility Manager.  Reporting to Professor Peter Ireland, you will take responsibility for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of a specialist aerospace research test facility, with a particular focus on hydrogen systems and associated experimental infrastructure.

This is a hands-on technical and operational leadership role supporting cutting-edge aerospace research. The postholder will manage complex facility systems, coordinate maintenance and improvement activities, lead local technical staff, and play a key role in ensuring that hydrogen testing can be undertaken safely and effectively.

 

 

You will have a strong hands-on technical background in the operation, maintenance or management of engineering, research/test facilities. You will be comfortable taking responsibility for safety-critical infrastructure and working collaboratively with a team of engineers, researchers and contractors.

 

Experience of hydrogen or aviation fuel facilities would be particularly valuable. We also welcome candidates with transferable experience from sectors such as aerospace, energy, process engineering, gas systems, automotive testing, chemical engineering, industrial R&D, or other safety-critical engineering environments.

 

 

At the University of Oxford your happiness and wellbeing at work is important to us. We have a number of generous benefits including 38 days' annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and fixed closure days), generous pension schemes and free access to the Oxford colleges. The other benefits include:

 

 

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system and should include the covering letter/supporting statement (describing how you meet the criteria), a CV, and names of two academic references.

 

The position is a full-time permanent post.

 

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Wednesday 02 September 2026. 

 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Peter Ireland:  peter.ireland@eng.ox.ac.uk 

 

Further information can be found at  https://eng.ox.ac.uk/jobs

 

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender equality in academia.  The University is a Living Wage Employer, holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, an HR Excellence in Research and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion.  Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we seek to create a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through our EDI Committee, working groups and networks, for example  eng.ox.ac.uk/women-in-engineering, as well as a number of  family friendly policies.