Principal Manufacturing Test Engineer

MBDA UK; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension up to 14%

Overtime

Flexi leave 15 days

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Site facilities

Job summary

MBDA UK is seeking a Principal Test Engineer to join the Manufacturing UK Test Engineering team in Stevenage. You will support test system introduction and diagnostic testing of electrical/electronic weapon systems during development and early production, ensuring readiness for operations.

The role requires DV clearance, British citizenship, and a hybrid on-site work pattern. You will mentor peers and work closely with design and operations teams to deliver robust test solutions.

Qualifications

• HNC level qualification or equivalent in a relevant subject, with significant electronics test experience.
• Experience with digital, analogue and RF electronics manufacture and test.
• Experience in electronics product development lifecycle and manufacturing environments.
• Experience using manual and automated test equipment, preferably in defence.
• Ability to plan and prioritise multiple tasks against project objectives; good written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide Test Engineering support from concept through Production Readiness Review.
• Support Test Facility introduction and ensure configuration control of equipment and facilities.
• Test electrical/electronic weapon systems and sub-assemblies to component level; propose remedial actions.
• Collaborate with Operations and design teams to overcome technical challenges.
• Mentor less experienced test engineers within the team.

Skills

Digital electronics

Analog electronics

RF electronics

Test engineering

Education

HNC or equivalent

Tools

Test equipment

Job description

This role provides a unique chance to shape how MBDA undertakes production testing.

Salary: Circa £52,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4-5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen only.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

Please note: This role will require you gaining Developed Vetting (DV) Clearance.

What we can offer you:

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

The opportunity:

This opportunity is for a Principal Test Engineer to join the Manufacturing organisation supporting test system introduction and test and diagnostics of electrical/electronic weapon systems and sub-assemblies during the development / early production phase.

You will work as part of the Manufacturing UK Test Engineering function and will be deployed to the Stevenage-based Manufacturing Equipment team, responsible for development testing and ensuring production readiness of new products and their test solutions.

• Providing Test Engineering support during Design / Development phases from initial concept through to Production Readiness Review and release to Operations.
• Supporting Test Facility introduction and ensure that appropriate configuration control of equipment and facilities is in place prior to use, including generating supporting test specifications and operator instructions.
• Supporting testing of electrical/electronic weapon systems, sub-assemblies and circuit cards, with diagnosis of development test failures down to circuit card and potentially component level, including identification of proposed remedial and corrective actions.
• Working closely with Operations, design teams and other stakeholders to overcome any technical challenges.
• Providing technical support and advice to the Test Engineering Team Lead and guiding and mentoring less experienced test engineers within the team.

You will be working with a small team of dedicated engineers in a fast-paced but friendly and inclusive manufacturing environment. The team has a great mix of personnel ranging from apprentices and graduate engineers through to experienced technical practitioners, all striving to deliver technical excellence across a number of different products in development and production.

What we're looking for from you:

• Minimum HNC level of qualification or equivalent (ideally HND/degree) in a relevant subject, plus significant experience in digital, analogue and RF electronics manufacture and test.
• A good understanding of electrical/electronic and RF measurement and test principles and test equipment, as well as systems-level functional testing.
• Experience of the product development lifecycle and supporting processes, in an electronics manufacturing environment.
• Significant experience of using both manual and automated test equipment, preferably in a defence organisation or similar manufacturing environment.
• The ability to plan and organise own work in order to ensure multiple tasks can be prioritised and delivered against Project objectives, whilst being available to support others.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, including working within a team, generation of test specifications, operator instructions and technical reports based on higher-level requirements.

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information