Teamleader Test, Validation

Senhive is a technology leader specialising in advanced counter-drone systems and autonomous sensor networks designed for high-security and mission-critical environments. Leveraging cutting-edge detection, tracking, and mitigation technologies, Senhive provides robust, real-time solutions in support of air traffic management systems and protects airspace from unauthorized or hostile drone activity. Serving defence, aerospace, security and critical infrastructure sectors, Senhive enhances situational awareness and operational security through intelligent, scalable, and resilient systems.

Job description

This is a newly created role. There is no existing team, no existing process, and no existing toolset. the Teamleader Test, Validation & Release Management will build all three from the ground up, in a hands-on, pragmatic way, while simultaneously running whatever validation and release work is already in flight.

You will build and lead the Test, Validation & Release Management function that takes our products from promising R&D prototypes to fully tested, documented and release-ready solutions.

You'll put the right processes, standards and structure in place to make sure every product is ready for the next step: scalable manufacturing by Operations and confident selling by Sales. You'll work closely with R&D, Operations and Sales to create a smooth and reliable path from prototype to production and market launch.

As the function grows, you'll build and lead the team around it, establishing the expertise, ownership and ways of working needed to support our products as we scale.

What you'll do

Test & Validation Methodology: hands-on, not theoretical

• You design and implement an end-to-end test and validation approach covering both hardware (including EMC, environmental, mechanical, reliability/HALT-HASS and safety) and software/firmware, from unit and integration testing through system, regression and field/OTA validation.
• You define clear, practical stage-gate criteria for moving from R&D prototype to engineering pilot and ultimately to mass production, including the evidence needed to confidently pass each gate.
• You create end-to-end traceability from requirements to test cases, defects and release notes, ensuring that you can always answer the question: what was tested, what wasn't, and why?
• You establish a clear Definition of Ready and Definition of Done for release readiness, jointly owned by R&D, Operations and your function.
• ou continuously evolve the methodology based on real project experience, lessons learned and changing product needs. This is a living process, not a document that sits on a shelf.

Release & Configuration Management

• You take ownership of end-to-end release management, ensuring that hardware revisions, BOM changes, firmware and software builds, and their compatibility, are properly controlled from the first pilot batch through end-of-life.
• You establish and drive consistent versioning and change-management processes across hardware and software.
• You lead release-readiness and go/no-go reviews and provide formal release sign-off based on clear, agreed criteria.
• You maintain a realistic release calendar, balancing R&D capacity, Operations constraints and Sales commitments.
• You make sure releases are predictable, transparent and well understood across the organisation.

Toolset & Infrastructure

• You select, implement and maintain the tools needed to support an efficient testing and release process, including test management, defect tracking, version control, CI/CD for embedded software, and release/configuration management.
• You build simple, transparent dashboards that give engineers and management a clear view of quality, test coverage, open issues and release readiness.
• You keep the toolset right-sized for the organisation: practical, intuitive and actually used, rather than theoretically complete but gathering dust.

Team Building & Leadership

• You shape the structure and roles of the team, develop job profiles and actively contribute to recruiting up to three test and validation engineers.
• You build, coach and develop the team, providing hands-on leadership, clear direction and regular feedback.
• You take ownership of day-to-day leadership and performance management while giving people the space to grow and take responsibility.
• You create a hands-on, quality-driven culture where people challenge issues openly, learn from mistakes and take accountability, without falling into a blame culture.

Cross-Functional Bridge & Stakeholder Management

• You act as a credible and pragmatic bridge between R&D, Operations/Manufacturing and Sales/Product Managem