Principal Test Engineer

API Microelectronics Ltd.; Great Yarmouth; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectrum Control is seeking a Principal Test Engineer in the UK to provide expert leadership across the test engineering function, shaping test strategies and best practices while collaborating with Manufacturing, Production, Quality and Design teams.

You will lead complex investigations, drive continuous improvement, and champion automation and data-driven decisions, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on problem solving.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related Engineering discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or experience is advantageous.
• Significant experience in a test engineering role within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of developing, implementing, and improving test systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on all aspects of test engineering and define test strategies, standards, and best practices.
• Act as lead technical specialist for complex test and equipment issues and drive root-cause investigations with corrective actions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and production teams to improve FPY, equipment uptime, test cycle times and overall efficiency.
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation and process optimisation; analyse test performance data to drive improvements.

Skills

Technical leadership

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder influence

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Automated Test Equipment (ATE)

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and technically accomplished Principal Test Engineer to provide expert leadership across our test engineering function. As the recognised subject matter expert for testing technologies and methodologies, you will play a key role in developing and enhancing test solutions that support product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and operational excellence. Working closely with Manufacturing, Production, Quality, and Design teams, you will solve complex technical challenges, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and help shape the future of our test engineering capability. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled engineer who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands‑on technical problem solving.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical expertise and guidance on all aspects of test engineering.
• Define and develop test strategies, standards, and best practices.
• Support the design, validation, and deployment of robust test solutions.
• Drive adoption of innovative testing technologies and methodologies.

Subject Matter Expertise

• Act as the lead technical specialist for complex test and equipment issues.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement effective corrective actions.
• Provide expertise in: Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Functional and end‑of‑line testing Hardware and software integration Measurement systems and instrumentation Support Design for Test (DfT) and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.

Operational Excellence

• Collaborate with manufacturing and production teams to improve: First Pass Yield (FPY) Equipment reliability and uptime Test cycle times Overall production efficiency
• Provide support for troubleshooting and resolution of critical issues.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities for automation and process optimisation.
• Analyse test performance data to drive improvements.
• Lead projects focused on quality enhancement, cost reduction, and efficiency gains.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend practical applications.

Standards & Compliance

• Develop and maintain test specifications, procedures, and engineering standards.
• Ensure test processes meet appropriate quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Support validation and qualification activities for new and existing test systems.

Knowledge Sharing & Mentoring

• Develop and maintain technical documentation and testing best practices.
• Support capability development across engineering and technician teams.
• Mentor colleagues and provide technical coaching where required.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the organisation.

What We're Looking For

Qualifications

• Degree, HND, HNC, or equivalent experience in Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related Engineering discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma certification or experience is advantageous.

Experience

• Significant experience in a test engineering role within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of developing, implementing, and improving test systems and processes.
• Experience supporting production operations and resolving complex technical issues.
• Experience leading technical improvement projects and influencing cross‑functional teams.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of automated test systems (ATE).
• Excellent fault‑finding, diagnostic, and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience with measurement systems, instrumentation, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with structured problem‑solving methodologies such as 8D, RCA, or Six Sigma.

Personal Attributes

• Strong technical credibility and expertise.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive improvements without direct authority.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels of the organisation.
• Proactive, collaborative, and results‑focused approach.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Third‑Party Recruiters

Please note, that per Spectrum Control Policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third‑party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our values and expectations. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Spectrum Control will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.

Spectrum Control combines engineering expertise, innovation and manufacturing excellence to enable mission‑critical solutions. Designed to solve complex problems in signal modulation and transmission, Spectrum Control solutions enable high quality product performance in the military and government, space, commercial, aerospace, security, medical, industrial and communications industries. Through proven experience and innovation, Spectrum Control delivers reliable solutions for the most rugged environments in the world – and beyond. Our team works to understand each customer’s needs at every level, which leads to long‑term partnerships with our customers that transcend transactions and projects, helping to drive ongoing value at all levels of an organization. Spectrum Control operates by the following guiding principles: safety, integrity, respect, ethics, trust and continuous improvement. Spectrum Control is dedicated to delivering highly‑engineered, reliable products that help save, enhance and protect lives. The company employs a secure, trusted, innovative, empowered and resilient environment to collaborate across the organization to deliver impactful results to our customers. Founded in 1981, Spectrum Control brought together the power of several trusted brands and formed a uniquely capable partner for RF/microwave, electromagnetic, and security solutions. Over the past 70 years, the company’s engineers and technologists have led the way in creating high‑quality solutions for demanding environments everywhere. Today, Spectrum Control’s team includes 1,300+ people working across 14 design/manufacturing centers in North America and Europe.