Digital Vehicle Test Engineer (KTP Associate)

Fixed Term Contract - 27 months

Location: Nissan Technical Centre Europe, Cranfield

Exciting KTP opportunity with Nissan Technical Centre Europe and Cranfield University to develop an AI-driven Virtual Testing Assistant, shaping the future of vehicle testing and supporting Nissan’s digital transformation.

About the Role

You will lead the design and development of the Virtual Testing Assistant (VTA), integrating data management, semantic modelling, ontologies, and AI tools like LLMs. Collaborating with Nissan and Cranfield teams, you’ll optimise test scenarios, enhance simulations, and accelerate smarter, simulation-driven vehicle development.

About You

You will hold an MSc (with First Class undergraduate degree) or PhD (or near completion) in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or AI. Strong Python, machine learning, and data modelling skills are essential. Experience with ontologies, knowledge graphs, and APIs is desirable. Analytical, adaptable, and collaborative, you’ll apply advanced AI tools to real-world automotive R&D challenges within a global innovation environment.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE), Nissan’s European R&D hub in the UK and Spain, employs over 900 people from 25 countries. Its Test and Design teams develop vehicle requirements and designs for global markets. Based at NTCE Cranfield, you’ll collaborate with Nick Robinson, Professor John Erkoyuncu, and Dr Christina Latsou.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

Eligibility

An individual currently or previously employed by Nissan, except in an Industrial Placement role, would not be eligible for the KTP Associate role.  

Individuals who have already been a KTP Associate would not be considered an ideal candidate.

How to apply                                    

For an informal discussion, please contact Dr Christina Latsou: Christina.Latsou@cranfield.ac.uk

Apply now. For further details contact peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk quoting 5133.

Closing date: 26 October 2025

This partnership received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme. KTP aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base. This successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership project, funded by UK Research and Innovation through Innovate UK, is part of the government’s Industrial Strategy.

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