Principal Manufacturing Test Engineer

Principal Test Engineer – UK Manufacturing Test Engineering

We are seeking a Principal Test Engineer to join our Manufacturing organisation, supporting the introduction of test systems, as well as the testing and diagnostics of electrical and electronic systems and sub‑assemblies during their development and early production phases. You will be embedded within the Manufacturing Equipment team, which plays a key role in development testing and ensuring new products and their associated test solutions are fully prepared for production.

• Provide Test Engineering expertise throughout the design and development lifecycle, from initial concept through to Production Readiness Review and release to Operations.
• Support the introduction of test facilities, ensuring robust configuration control of equipment and facilities prior to use, including the creation of test specifications and operator instructions.
• Conduct testing of electrical and electronic systems, sub‑assemblies, and circuit cards, diagnosing development test failures down to circuit card and, where necessary, component level.
• Identify and recommend corrective and remedial actions to resolve technical issues.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, design teams, and key stakeholders to overcome engineering challenges.
• Offer technical guidance to the Test Engineering Team Lead and provide mentoring to less experienced engineers within the team.

• A minimum of HNC or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (HND or degree preferred).
• Substantial experience in the manufacture and testing of digital, analogue, and RF electronic systems.
• Strong understanding of electrical, electronic, and RF measurement principles, along with practical experience of test equipment and systems‑level functional testing.
• Proven experience across the product development lifecycle within an electronics manufacturing environment, including associated processes and best practices.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with both manual and automated test equipment, ideally gained within a defence or similarly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Ability to effectively plan and prioritise workload, managing multiple tasks to meet project objectives while remaining responsive to team support requirements.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience in collaborative team environments and the ability to produce high‑quality documentation such as test specifications, operator instructions, and technical reports from higher‑level requirements.

• Experience in the Defence / Aerospace or safety‑regulated environment.

• Ability to obtain Security Clearance and hold British Nationality as primary nationality.
• Role is 4-5 days a week onsite on a secure site requiring SC clearance.

Full range of company benefits, flexible working, training, development, and clear career progression are provided. Even if you feel like you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to reach out and apply.