Principal Test Development Engineer

MBDA UK; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension up to 14%

Overtime available

Flexi Leave up to 15 days

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Relocation package (where applicable)

Job summary

MBDA UK seeks an experienced Principal Test Development Engineer to shape test approaches for complex hardware. You will support design reviews, advise on manufacturing queries and lead work packages, collaborating across an international team to deliver robust test solutions.

You will drive validation activities, document test strategies and guide colleagues through development and integration stages within a dynamic defence environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in defining and validating test approaches for hardware solutions.
• Ability to lead packages of work and coordinate with senior design engineers.
• Strong documentation skills for test equipment design and validation.

Responsibilities

• Define and specify test approaches; identify potential improvements to test/diagnostic processes.
• Lead packages of work, manage deliveries and assignments to team members.
• Collaborate with design reviews and manufacturing inquiries; report to Technical Lead or Equipment Project Manager.

Skills

Test equipment design

Package leadership

Hardware reliability

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for experienced Principal Test Development Engineer to contribute to the design, integration and validation of test system hardware solutions, joining our highly skilled and dynamic Test Equipment Design Team. We can offer you a stimulating and rewarding role coupled with an exciting career path!

Salary: Circa £55,000 depending on experience

Location: Stevenage, Bristol or Bolton (We may be able to offer a relocation package for this role)

Please note: Those who wish to be based in Bolton or Bristol will be expected to travel to Stevenage on average once a month.

With the majority of the Test Equipment team being based in Stevenage, Bolton and Bristol based engineers will need to have relevant transferable Military or Aerospace experience and the ability to work autonomously.

Dynamic (hybrid) working: Where project needs allow, we will seek to accommodate a blended approach to on-site and remote working such as being onsite when necessary to work with people and collaborate, then working from home and around family commitments to work where you are most efficient.

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship 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.

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:

Your role will be to define and specify test approaches; identifying any potential improvements to test/diagnostic processes. You will be involved in the design process at all stages, supporting design reviews and manufacturing queries, reporting into the Technical Lead or Equipment Project Manager. You will have the opportunity to lead on packages of work, manage deliveries and assign work to senior design engineers. Working in an international environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your expertise and play an important role in the delivery of our products.

Additional Opportunities depending on experience:

• Technical Leadership - You will take ownership for and lead the development of test equipment technical design solutions. You will be responsible for leading a package or packages of work, manage resourcing needs and deliveries while leading your own team.
• Test Equipment Architect - Working within the established Test Equipment Architecture team, you'll be advising the customer; providing guidance and feedback on the Test Equipment requirements; disseminating the requirements into a system design (providing the solution architecture), and working to ensure the developed test system meets its system requirements. You should be able to act as an authority on test equipment aspects to the design teams and the project.

What we’re looking for from you:

• Skilled Hardware Design Engineers with proven experience to support the design, integration and validation of test system hardware solutions.
• Knowledge of test needs and techniques in support of product life cycle development.
• Experience of Design Proving and performance testing during development.
• Experience of Environmental and EMC testing during qualification.
• Strong document writing skills associated with Test Equipment hardware design needs.
• Experience of managing packages of work is highly desirable.

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.

What we do matters. Because defence matters. As a leading company in the defence industry we support our nations by delivering essential military capabilities, both for today and the future. We are proud to be an award-winning employer and are proud of the growing diversity of our workforce. Our people are the ones who drive our constant innovation and deliver against challenging targets. Whatever your background, we welcome your application to MBDA UK and look forward to speaking with you soon.