Principal Test Development Engineer

QinetiQ; Ashford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension & life cover

Generous holidays

Private medical insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) is seeking a Principal Test Development Engineer to lead automation test capability for unmanned aerial and surface target products. You will shape test strategy, remain hands-on with complex electronic and software-based test solutions, and mentor the team in TestStand, LabVIEW and related tools.

Based at Ashford, 37 hours per week, with flexible hours and a 13:30 finish on Fridays. SC clearance eligibility required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electronics Engineering or related field.
• Experience with TestStand-based test environments.
• Certified TestStand Developer or Architect desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance NI-based Automated Test Equipment (ATE).
• Lead design, development and verification of automated test solutions using TestStand, LabVIEW and FlexStand.
• Design test fixtures and commission new test capability for products and subsystems.
• Embed Design for Test (DFT) principles into new product development.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership within the test function.
• Develop documentation, processes and future test strategies for production and new product introductions.

Skills

TestStand experience

ATE design

Electronics schematics

Production experience

Instrumentation

Education

Electronics Engineering Degree

Tools

TestStand

LabVIEW

FlexStand

Job description

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits Package

Role ID: SF20426

We are recruiting for a Principal Test Development Engineer to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Engineering Team. QTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ Group PLC, specialising in the design and manufacture of a range of state‑of-the‑art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems, including the world-leading Banshee target.

QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over 40 countries worldwide, with QTS providing a complete managed service in over 15 of these countries.

The Role

As a Principal Test Development Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance and future development of automated test capability supporting QinetiQ Target Systems' world-leading unmanned aerial and surface target products.

Day-to-day, you’ll lead the development and evolution of automated test systems, support production‑critical test equipment, work closely with design and manufacturing teams, and provide technical leadership within a specialist engineering discipline. You’ll have the opportunity to shape future test strategy while remaining hands‑on with complex electronic and software‑based test solutions.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining and enhancing existing NI‑based Automated Test Equipment (ATE) 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
• Working with engineering teams to embed Design for Test (DFT) principles into new product development
• Mentoring and supporting engineers while providing technical leadership within the test function
• Developing documentation, processes and future test strategies to support production and new product introduction

Essential experience of the Principal Test Development Engineer:

• Strong hands‑on experience with TestStand and automated functional test systems
• Proven background in Automated Test Equipment (ATE) design, support or test development
• Electronics engineering knowledge including the ability to understand schematics
• Experience within a production or manufacturing environment
• Experience using instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators and data acquisition equipment

Essential qualifications for the Principal Test Development Engineer:

• Degree in Electronics Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Demonstrable experience working with TestStand‑based test environments
• Certified Teststand Developer or Certified Teststand Architect status is desirable

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Ashford site with a minimum average site attendance of five days per week. We offer flexible working hours to fit alongside your personal situation and you’ll benefit from a 13:30PM finish on Fridays.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our Recruitment Process:

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]. One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community