Principal Test Engineer CCA

MBDA; Bolton Croft; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization is seeking a Lead Test Engineer to join their Circuit Card Assembly Business Unit. The role involves managing a team of test engineers, ensuring quality standards, and providing technical leadership in testing and diagnostics of electronics. The successful candidate will benefit from a competitive salary and additional perks such as flexible working arrangements and a company bonus based on performance.

Benefits

Company bonus: Up to £2,500

Pension: Up to 14% total contribution

Paid overtime opportunities

Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days

Flexible working arrangements welcomed

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals

Free parking

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of analogue and digital electronics and failure diagnosis techniques.
• Experience managing a small team of technical professionals.
• Ability to plan and organise team tasks to meet project objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of approximately 5 test engineers, including task deployment and prioritisation.
• Ensure delivery in line with programme and quality standards while fostering continuous improvement.
• Lead defect investigations on analogue, digital, and RF circuit card assemblies.

Skills

Analogue electronics

Digital electronics

Failure diagnosis

Project planning

Communication

Education

HNC or equivalent qualification

HND/degree preferred

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 customer and allies.

Salary: Circa £50,000.00 depending on experience

Dynamic (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. 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 (based on company performance and 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: Flexible working arrangements welcomed
• Enhanced parental leave: Up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave; enhancements available for paternity, neonatal, and fertility treatments
• Facilities: Subsidised meals, free parking, and more

The opportunity:

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

• Manage a team of approximately 5 test engineers, including task deployment and prioritisation.
• Develop team capabilities and conduct performance reviews.
• Ensure delivery in line with programme and quality standards while fostering continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership to meet programme targets on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Support future project testing capabilities and current solutions through liaising with design teams.
• Lead defect investigations on analogue, digital, and RF CCAs.
• Contribute to NCRB to improve test yields.
• Manage configuration of test documentation.

You will work with a dedicated team in a fast-paced, inclusive environment, ranging from apprentices to experienced engineers, all committed to technical excellence.

What we're looking for:

• HNC or equivalent qualification (HND/degree preferred) in a relevant subject.
• Strong understanding of analogue and digital electronics and failure diagnosis techniques.
• Experience presenting technical information to diverse stakeholders, including senior management.
• Experience managing a small team of technical professionals.
• Ability to plan and organise team tasks to meet project objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, including generating test specifications, instructions, and reports using Microsoft Office.

Our company:

MBDA is a leading defence organisation committed to supporting armed forces and defending our nations. We value diversity and inclusion, with employee-led networks supporting various communities. We encourage open dialogue about any adjustments needed during recruitment.

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