Principal Test Development Engineer

Principal Test Development Engineer

Start Date: ASAP

Permanent | Up to £64,250 + Benefits

Location: Ashford

Working Pattern: On-site | Five Days per Week

Hours: 37 Hours per Week | 1:30 pm Finish on Fridays

Clearance: SC Clearance Required or Eligibility to Obtain

We’re partnering with an advanced engineering and technology organisation to appoint an experienced Principal Test Development Engineer.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior test professional to lead the development and evolution of automated test capability supporting complex electronic products and systems.

You’ll remain hands-on with sophisticated electronic and software-based test solutions while providing technical leadership, supporting production-critical equipment and helping to shape the organisation’s future test strategy.

The Opportunity

As Principal Test Development Engineer, you’ll take a leading role in designing, developing and maintaining automated test systems used across production and new product development.

You’ll work closely with engineering, design and manufacturing teams to create robust test solutions, embed Design for Test principles and ensure test capability continues to meet evolving technical and operational requirements.

This is a highly technical position suited to someone with extensive TestStand, LabVIEW and Automated Test Equipment experience who is equally comfortable providing strategic direction and solving complex hands-on engineering challenges.

Key Responsibilities

You’ll lead the development and continuous improvement of automated test capability by:

• Maintaining and enhancing existing National Instruments-based Automated Test Equipment systems.

• Leading the design, development and verification of automated test solutions using TestStand, LabVIEW and FlexStand.

• Designing test fixtures and commissioning new test capability for products and subsystems.

• Supporting production-critical test equipment and resolving complex technical issues.

• Working with engineering teams to embed Design for Test principles into new product development.

• Collaborating with design and manufacturing teams throughout the product lifecycle.

• Providing technical leadership within the test-development function.

• Mentoring and supporting engineers to strengthen capability across the wider team.

• Developing technical documentation, engineering processes and test procedures.

• Shaping future test strategies to support production requirements and new product introduction.

• Identifying opportunities to improve test reliability, efficiency and maintainability.

About You

You’ll be an experienced Test Development Engineer with strong hands-on knowledge of automated functional test systems and the technical leadership skills required to guide complex engineering activity.

You will also have:

• Strong practical experience developing and supporting TestStand-based test environments.

• Proven experience creating automated test solutions using LabVIEW.

• A strong background in Automated Test Equipment design, support or test development.

• Solid electronics-engineering knowledge and the ability to interpret schematics.

• Experience working within a production or manufacturing environment.

• Practical experience using instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, signal generators and data-acquisition equipment.

• Experience designing test fixtures and commissioning new test systems.

• Knowledge of Design for Test principles and their application during product development.

• Strong technical problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.

• The ability to provide technical guidance, mentor engineers and influence test strategy.

• Strong documentation and communication skills.

• A degree in Electronics Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Certified TestStand Developer or Certified TestStand Architect status would be advantageous.

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the work, applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Government Security Clearance to SC level as a minimum.

Additional restrictions relating to nationality or previous nationalities may apply depending on the work undertaken.

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to take a leading role in the development of automated test capability within a technically advanced engineering environment.

In return, you’ll benefit from:

• A salary of up to £64,250.

• A permanent principal-level engineering position with genuine technical influence.

• The opportunity to shape future automated test strategy.

• Hands-on involvement with complex electronic and software-based test solutions.

• Close collaboration with design, production and manufacturing teams.

• Flexible working hours and a 1:30pm finish on Fridays.

• A matched-contribution pension scheme and life assurance.

• A generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days.

• Health Cash Plan, private medical insurance and dental insurance options.

• Access to an employee discount portal covering travel, restaurants, cinema tickets and more.

• Volunteering opportunities supporting charities and local communities.

• The opportunity to work within an organisation supporting the Armed Forces community.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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