Vehicle Evaluation Engineer - Fleet Services
Job Title: Vehicle Evaluation Engineer - Fleet Services
Salary: The starting salary is £53,459, which includes allowances totalling £2,928.
The salary is broken down as £50,531 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £55,103 Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: The role is based at Marlowe House but there will be a requirement to travel to Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire along with various MPS sites and external partners.
About Fleet Services
The police vehicle fleet is an important physical asset. It enables officers and staff to do their job, carries key equipment required, and provides safe transportation for the public / prisoners.
The role of Fleet Services is to keep the Met mobile, ensuring we can detect, respond to, and prevent crime whilst building public trust and confidence. Fleet Services are committed to leading with innovation, responsibility and environmental consciousness, striving for a fleet that is safer, smarter and cleaner, with a focused approach as follows:
1 - We will manage responsibly to deliver an excellent service and achieve value for money
2 - We will deliver strategies to manage the fleet efficiently and effectively
3 - We will deliver a fit-for-purpose, flexible and available fleet
The complex needs of modern policing requires a wide range of vehicle types. We operate a fleet of over 5,200 assets on the road and river, as well as over 1,000 pedal cycles. London is the most complex and diverse city in the UK, and our fleet is reflective of that. We currently have over 220 different types of vehicles supporting all operational commands including armed response vehicles, HGVs, patrol cars, motorbikes and pedal cycles.
Customers can be broadly grouped into three strategic pillars – Frontline Policing, Met Ops & Performance, and Counter Terrorism / Specialist Operations. Collectively this covers pan London requirements as well as national CT responsibilities.
The overall fleet requirements and volumes are owned and governed by operational leaders at the Strategic Fleet Board. Operational teams are accountable for the volume of fleet required to undertake their roles, and Fleet Services support and enable effective decision making through provision of information and technical / industry knowledge.
Role Description
As a Vehicle Evaluation Engineer, you will be responsible for planning, conducting, and reporting on structured tests across a range of vehicles. The role involves following and developing robust test methodologies, analysing technical data, and producing clear evidence based reports to support decision making. You will work closely with internal / external stakeholders and manufacturers to ensure vehicles meet operational, safety, and legislative requirements. Key activities include evaluating vehicle braking, handling and performance, identifying potential risks, and recommending practical engineering solutions in line with industry best practice. The position requires strong problem solving skills, technical knowledge, and the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, safety focused team environment.
Key Responsibilities
Vehicle evaluation - Play a key role in the development of the fleet ensuring suitable vehicles are identified, evaluated and approved so that they meet the specialist and diverse requirements of the MPS. Specifies and tests MPS Fleet vehicles, from whole vehicle to modification programmes, assessing their impacts on the effectiveness and safety of the Fleet in support of Policing Operations. Be responsible for managing completion of;
- Evaluation of cars / vans against MPS standards
- Develop test plans for post conversion vehicle dynamics validation
- Conduct vehicle dynamics acceptance testing post conversion
- Vehicle & equipment selection – base vehicle technical requirements / market research
- Technical report writing
- Engineering assessments of vehicles against test standard using FMEA principles
- Evaluation of new automotive technologies
- Administration supporting test activity including quotations, invoicing and record keeping.
- Maintenance, calibration and readiness of data acquisition systems, measuring devices and supporting test equipment.
- National base vehicle evaluations – Play a key role in national base vehicle evaluation programmes, working with vehicle manufacturers, NPCC, Bluelight Commercial and other police forces.
- Risk management - Identify all risks and issues associated with vehicle evaluations and act as a point of contact for technical issues, risks and disputes.
- Technical standards - Developing, monitoring, and evaluating the MPS Technical Standards identifying improvements specifically relating to Car and Van Evaluation. Act as an MPS Fleet Services technical ‘Subject Matter Expert’. Take a future proofing approach.
- Vehicle designs – Evaluations of vehicle ergonomics, dynamics and system operation for use in their intended roles to ensure the fleet is fit for purpose.
- Market research – Collaborate with the Specification team to perform market research activities as an SME for vehicles. Ensuring any technology development and implementation applicable to police vehicles meets, or improves operational capability and improve safety.
- Improvements / transitions - Take initiative for monitoring and implementing continuous improvement activities across the business through employing process improvements, implementing new technologies or incorporating new requirements. Identifies changes in technology or legislation which will affect MPS vehicles. Promote the transition from an ICE fleet to EV by developing vehicle and evaluation solutions suitable for EVs. Planning, scheduling and logistics management – Work with vehicle manufacturers, internal and external stakeholders to ensure test vehicle availability and support services are in place as required.
- Effective relationships - Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, suppliers and end users while ensuring the highest level of operational service delivery to ensure efficiency, value for money and a positive user experience.
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply now" button below. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 11th September 2025.
Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence 1-2 weeks after the vacancy has closed.
If successful at the application stage, you will be required to undertake an online assessment relevant to the role to test your suitability which will commence 1-2 weeks after successful application review.
Subject to a positive outcome in your assessment, you will then be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence 1-2 weeks after the hiring manager review.