Lead Test Engineer

Saab; Fareham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab UK is seeking a Lead Test Engineer for the Fareham Campus to drive electro‑mechanical test solutions across development and production lifecycles. You will lead a team of Test Engineers and coordinate external partners to ensure robust verification and validation of complex systems.

The role requires strong LabVIEW/TestStand expertise, Python/C/C++, data analysis, and excellent communication. You will own test case definitions, test jigs and software, and deliver high-quality reports while

Qualifications

• HNC or degree in relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience in supervising staff and workload management.
• Proficient in LabVIEW/TestStand and data analysis.
• 3 years in a test-focused role or test equipment development.
• Ability to work unsupervised to tight timescales.
• Excellent communicator; reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Test Engineer and guide Test Engineers.
• Line manage Test Engineering group and coordinate external 3rd parties.
• Derive test requirements from master/system specs.
• Design and communicate test cases for electro-mechanical systems.
• Close workload packages and prepare Test Reports.
• Design test jigs, harnesses and software for test execution.
• Run data processing and store results in databases.
• Manage internal test facilities and liaison with external facilities.
• Fault finding and analysis.
• Present results and findings.

Skills

Test engineering

Team leadership

LabVIEW

TestStand

Python

C/C++

Data analysis

Electrical engineering

Documentation

Test equipment

Communication

Problem solving

Education

HNC or Degree in relevant engineering

Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

DOORS

Job description

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

What you will be part

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe.

Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems.

Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

The Role:

Join us in creating the most innovative robotic technology for the harshest environment in the deepest oceans and most turbulent waters. We lead the world with the most advanced engineering, electronics and software systems for pioneering electric underwater technology.

We don't just create products - we are revolutionising the underwater world. So come and be part of an innovative and agile team that is dedicated to smart and inspired technology that is rapidly changing the future of underwater robotics.

This is a new role onsite at our Fareham Campus. Role to engineer test solutions for electro-mechanical products to ensure systems are thoroughly exercised to satisfy product requirements. With a wide ranging remit to manage and execute the full lifecycle of test engineering, from definition of test-cases through development of test tools to the execution of testing. As such it will suit someone with a broad spread of engineering knowledge, imagination and drive

Key accountabilities and responsibilities:

• Lead Test Engineer within the department, to be the guide and support resource for the general Test Engineers
• Line manager for Test Engineering group - manage out workload within the Test Engineering team and external 3rd parties as required
• Analyse Master / Systems / Sub-System requirements and conformance specifications to derive test requirements
• Plan, design and communicate test cases which verify and validate requirements across a broad spread of electro-mechanical systems for both the development and production lifecycle phases
• Responsible for closure of workload packages derived from requirements analysis, management of formal Test Reports and other evidence based materials across the Test Engineering team to support the conclusions of investigations
• Define the design of test jigs, harnesses and software to allow execution of test cases including, where appropriate, automation.
• Implement data processing/ filtering software in a variety of packages to extract relevant results into databases / analysis software packages
• Manage the internal test facilities (test tanks, ovens, pools, lifting equipment)
• Liaise with external test facilities (EMC, vibration, pools, etc)
• Fault finding and failure analysis
• Documentation and presentation of results and findings.

Essential Skills:

• HNC or Degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Competent in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Previous experience in personnel supervision / management, to coach and mentor staff and manage their workload
• Ability to work unsupervised to tight timescales
• Working knowledge of Mechanical Engineering principles
• Working knowledge of Software principles in relation to products - embedded and associated tool chains
• Competent and able to use Microsoft Office to a high level
• Experienced and high level competence with National Instruments LabView and TestStand software tool chains within a test and measurement environment
• Experienced with creating / modifying software scripts / programs e.g. Python, Visual Basic, C, C++, etc.
• 3 years in a test focused role, or within test equipment development
• Proven experience in data capture and analysis
• Expert in the Verification & Validation processes and associated tools and techniques
• Proven experience working on multi-disciplinary systems (electrical, mechanical, software)
• Excellent knowledge of test equipment and platforms
• Data capture - logging
• Create high quality test reports
• Innovative and creative mind-set with technical awareness
• Excellent communicator: both written and verbal
• Enthusiasm, drive and personality!

Desirable:

• Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Formal qualification in Mechanical Engineering and/or Software
• National Instruments certified developer
• Experienced with working with system engineering / project management tools - EA / DOORS / etc.
• Experience in the offshore and/or subsea industry
• Knowledge of product certification, best-practice and industry standards
• Knowledge of compliance standards and certification (CE / DNV)
• Expert / advanced user of Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with data archiving / controlled repositories management
• Previous experience in a customer-facing role

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.