Principal Test Engineer CCA

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Test Engineer to join its Circuit Card Assembly Business Unit. This role presents a unique opportunity to lead a small team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality testing and diagnostics for circuit cards in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will play a crucial role in enhancing test capabilities and collaborating with design and production teams. The company offers a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, with a commitment to employee development and flexible working arrangements. If you have a strong technical background and leadership skills, this is the perfect opportunity to make a significant impact.

Benefits

Company Bonus

Pension Contribution

Paid Overtime

Flexi Leave

Enhanced Parental Leave

Subsidised Meals

Free Parking

Qualifications

• HNC or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject; HND/degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of analogue and digital electronics and failure diagnosis techniques.
• Experience managing a small team of technical professionals.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small team (approx. 5 engineers) and ensure delivery aligns with standards.
• Provide technical leadership to meet project targets in time, cost, and quality.
• Lead defect investigations at component level across various CCAs.

Skills

Analogue Electronics

Digital Electronics

Failure Diagnosis Techniques

Team Management

Technical Communication

Education

HNC in Relevant Subject

HND/Degree in Relevant Subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This role offers a technically challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a modern defence manufacturing environment, providing essential military capability to our UK customers and allies.

Salary: Circa £50,000.00 depending on experience

Hybrid working: 4-5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

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

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (performance-based, varies year to year)

Pension: Up to 14% total contribution (employer and employee)

Overtime: Paid overtime opportunities

Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days

Flexible working: We welcome flexible working arrangements

Enhanced parental leave: Up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave; enhancements available for paternity, neonatal leave, and fertility treatments

Facilities: Subsidised meals, free parking, and more on-site amenities

The opportunity:

This position is for a Lead Test Engineer with a strong technical focus to join the Circuit Card Assembly Business Unit in Manufacturing UK, supporting testing and diagnostics of circuit cards and electronics in manufacturing.

• Manage a small team (approx. 5 engineers), including task deployment and prioritisation.
• Develop team capabilities and conduct performance reviews.
• Ensure delivery aligns with programme and quality standards while fostering continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership to meet project targets in time, cost, and quality.
• Support future test capabilities and current solutions through collaboration with design and production teams.
• Lead defect investigations at component level across various analog, digital, and RF CCAs.
• Contribute technical input to NCRB to enhance test yields.
• Maintain configuration management of test documentation per company processes.

You will work with a dedicated team in a fast-paced, inclusive manufacturing environment, supporting products in development and production, ranging from apprentices to experienced practitioners.

What we're looking for:

• HNC or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject; HND/degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of analogue and digital electronics and failure diagnosis techniques.
• Experience presenting technical information to diverse stakeholders, including senior levels.
• Experience managing a small team of technical professionals.
• Ability to plan and prioritise team tasks effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, including creating test specifications, operator instructions, and technical reports using Microsoft Office.

Our company:

MBDA is a leading defence organisation committed to supporting armed forces and partnering with governments to defend sovereignty and freedom.

We foster diverse, employee-led networks such as Gender Equality, Pride, and Neurodiversity, and support individuals throughout our recruitment process with advice and adjustments as needed.

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