Job Description

Senior Quality & Test Engineer

Full-time
Location: On-site in Bristol with occasional travel to suppliers in Asia
Salary: Competitive & based on experience

At Tailfin, we design and engineer the world's most advanced bikepacking equipment - used by riders tackling everything from city commutes to the toughest ultra-distance races on earth.

Our products are defined by uncompromising performance, precision, and durability. We're now looking for a Senior Quality & Test Engineer to make sure they stay that way.

The Role

You'll be the driving force behind Tailfin's quality and testing programs - developing the standards, processes, and tools that ensure every product meets our exacting expectations. From designing test rigs and validation methods to auditing suppliers, keeping them in-check and analysing failures, you'll own product quality.

This is a hands-on, senior engineering role for someone who loves building things, breaking things, and making them better.

What You'll Do

Develop and implement product validation and durability testing protocols. Design, build or buy mechanical and environmental test rigs for in-house and supplier use. Define quality standards, inspection criteria, and test documentation across all product lines. Manage supplier quality: incoming inspection, audits, and corrective action processes. Conduct and report on failure analysis, fatigue, and environmental testing. Collaborate closely with Design, Production, and Supply Chain teams to ensure quality runs deep Continuously improve QC systems, measurement accuracy, and traceability. Ride and test our gear extensively.

About You

Degree or background in Mechanical Engineering or similar 10+ years' experience in quality, test, or validation engineering, ideally with consumer hardware, cycling, or outdoor gear. Deep understanding of mechanical testing, data capture, and rig design. Hands-on and a problem solver - just as comfortable behind a CAD model or spreadsheet as a torque wrench. Pragmatic at implementing simple, effective quality solutions rather than overbearing, stifling, rules and regulations. Experience working with Asian manufacturing partners and supplier quality management. Driven by precision, reliability, and a love of making world-class products even better. You have knowledge or love learning about manufacturing processes - forging, stamping, machining, welding, extrusion, hf welding, etc Ideally keen on riding all types of bikes, bikepacking or camping.

Why Tailfin?

Based in the heart of Bristol, we're a growing team of bike lovers who are passionate about the outdoors, innovation and breaking the status quo.

We are a team that puts life first in the knowledge that this will help us to do our best work. We're big on making work a fantastic place to be. Together, we are building a culture that means we look forward to coming into the office, collaborating face-to-face, achieving exciting goals together, and working as a team to become one of the best cycling brands in the world.

Flexible working hours and ad-hoc remote working help you live your life, fortnightly team rides and quarterly bikepacking trips, access to products and bike industry discounts help us love the journey we're on.

How to Apply

Please submit a brief covering letter about yourself, why you would be a good fit for the team, and a CV.

Send all applications via Indeed

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

Bristol BS1 6UX: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):

Are you keen on cycling or the outdoors? What CAD Package are you familiar with / how many years experience?
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person