Development Engineer - Mid-Level Talent Pool

for our Careers & Life at JCB pages

About the role:

As a Development Engineer within our Mid-Level Talent Pool, you'll play a key role in the development, validation, and optimisation of JCB products and systems. Working across a variety of machine platforms, you'll be responsible for ensuring components and systems meet performance, reliability, durability, and customer requirements through rigorous testing, analysis, and continuous improvement activities.

This advert supports multiple upcoming opportunities across JCB's engineering divisions. Successful candidates will be considered for suitable Development Engineer positions aligned to their skills and experience.

You'll contribute to the development of next-generation machines featuring advanced hydraulic architectures, electrified systems, embedded software controls and emerging autonomous technologies. Working across multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll ensure products deliver the performance, durability, reliability and customer value expected from JCB.

We're particularly interested in engineers with experience in Material Handling, Hydraulics and Software/Controls Development who combine practical engineering expertise with a structured approach to problem solving and product validation.

What does this role involve day to day?

Product Development & Validation

•Lead the planning and execution of development and validation activities to ensure machine systems deliver the required performance, durability and customer value.

•Create and deliver test and validation plans aligned to programme objectives.

•Support prototype development and evaluate machine performance in real-world operating environments.

•Analyse test results and use data-driven insights to improve product robustness, quality and reliability.

Material Handling Systems

•Develop and optimise material handling functions, including lifting performance, stability, load management and machine productivity.

•Assess machine capability, operator experience and operational efficiency across a range of applications.

•Collaborate with design and product engineering teams to enhance machine performance and customer value.

•Support investigation of complex machine performance and durability challenges.

Hydraulics Development

•Develop and validate hydraulic systems and components, including pumps, valves, actuators and hydraulic circuits.

•Evaluate system performance, efficiency and controllability through machine and rig-based testing.

•Identify opportunities to improve hydraulic functionality, reliability and energy efficiency.

•Work closely with suppliers, manufacturing teams and design engineers to deliver robust hydraulic solutions.

Software & Controls Development

•Support the development, calibration and validation of machine software and electronic control systems.

•Verify machine functionality against system requirements and customer expectations.

•Collaborate with controls, software and electrical engineers to optimise machine performance.

•Experience of CAN communication, HMI development, machine calibration, Matlab/Simulink, embedded control systems or functional safety principles would be beneficial.

Testing & Issue Resolution

•Plan and conduct laboratory, rig and machine-based testing activities.

•Use structured root cause analysis techniques to investigate product and system issues.

•Interpret machine and test data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.

•Support corrective actions through to validation and implementation.

Programme Delivery

•Support development programmes to achieve quality, timing and cost objectives.

•Contribute to engineering reviews, gateway assessments and change management activities.

•Work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing and supplier teams.

•Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and engineering best practice.

This will be suited to you if…

•You hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline.

•You have at least 2 years' experience within product development, validation or test engineering environments.

•You possess strong analytical, problem-solving and investigative skills.

•You have experience supporting testing, development or validation activities.

•You are comfortable working both hands-on with machinery and within an engineering office environment.

You’ll stand out if you also have:

•Experience working with off-highway, automotive, agricultural, mobile machinery or similar products.

•Experience in material handling systems and machine performance evaluation.

•Knowledge of hydraulic systems, circuits and component testing.

•Experience supporting software, controls or machine calibration activities.

•Familiarity with data acquisition, analysis and validation tools.

•Knowledge of structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, FMEA or Root Cause Analysis.

In terms of how you work, you:

•Take ownership and accountability for development and validation activities.

•Enjoy identifying issues and finding practical engineering solutions.

•Communicate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

•Apply a structured, data-driven approach to decision making.

•Are proactive, adaptable and focused on delivering results.

What happens next?

Ordinarily, our Resourcing Team reviews and shortlists CVs. If shortlisted, you’ll speak to one of our Recruiters to discuss the role further. Our interview process usually consists of an initial team’s interview followed by an in-person interview. We’ll keep in touch throughout the process but if you have any questions, please get in touch at recruitment@

What’s in it for you?

This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor and dentist. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like biking to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.

We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our Resourcing Team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@, and a member of the team will be in touch.

Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies.