Principal Test Engineer

Location: West of England

Principal Test Engineer This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Please read our privacy policy for more information.### Principal Test Engineer Apply:
GB
- Bristol
- Coldharbour Lane:
Full time:
Posted Today:
R0035208
*
* Job Description:

**** Your impact
** Are you ready to shape the future of test automation and assurance on the UK’s most critical systems? At Leonardo, our Principal Test Engineers are recognised as subject matter experts, designing frameworks, integrating automated testing into CI/CD pipelines, and ensuring solutions are validated to the highest standards.
Your work at Leonardo UK will see you take the lead in solving customer problems in an agile, innovative and team-centric manner. The role may involve a blended hybrid working model, with a mixture of working from home and working on site at one of our Leonardo offices to ensure close collaboration with the wider team and with our customers.  
** What you will do as a Principal Test Engineer
*** Act as the technical authority for test automation, frameworks, and tooling.
* Design and implement automated test solutions across unit, integration, system, and acceptance levels.
* Integrate automated tests into CI/CD pipelines and Dev Sec Ops  environments.
* Develop and maintain test strategies, automation scripts, and supporting documentation.
* Mentor and coach engineers in automation practices, raising capability across the community.
* Lead technical reviews of test approaches, ensuring secure-by-design and compliance principles are embedded.
* Conduct feasibility studies and tool evaluations to guide test technology choices.
* Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure test strategies meet both functional and non-functional requirements.  
** What you’ll bring
*** Deep technical expertise in test automation and frameworks.
* Ability to act as technical authority while remaining hands-on.
* Strong problem-solving and innovation skills.  
** Core areas (must have):
*** Experience designing and maintaining automated test frameworks (e.g. Selenium, JUnit, PyTest, Robot Framework)
* Proficiency with scripting/programming languages for test automation (Python, Bash, Power Shell, Java)
* Experience integrating automated tests with CI/CD pipelines (Git Lab CI, Jenkins, Azure Dev Ops)
* Knowledge of performance, load, or security testing tools (e.g. JMeter, Load Runner, OWASP ZAP)
* Familiarity with secure working practices and assurance standards  
** Desirable:
*** Industry certifications in testing (ISTQB Advanced, Certified Test Automation Engineer)
* Exposure to containerised and cloud-based testing environments (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure)
* Experience with service virtualisation and test data management tools
* Contributions to test strategy, standards, or professional communities
* Familiarity with model-based testing or AI/ML approaches to test generation  
** Security Clearance
** This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:  
** Location
* * This role can be based at one of our UK sites, Bristol, with hybrid/custom working options where appropriate.  
** Why join us
** At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
* ** Time…