Principal Test Solutions Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Pension plan

Hybrid working

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd in Luton is seeking a Principal Test Solutions Engineer to lead the subcontracting of complex microwave test solutions and to support engineering management of test solutions across the lifecycle.

The role requires hands-on design experience of test equipment, strong knowledge of LabVIEW/TestStand, and proven ability to manage budgets, schedules and external suppliers with clear stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Design and implement complex test solutions across full life cycle.
• Good understanding of electronic technologies from DC to light and systems/software lifecycle.
• Experience working with external suppliers and outsourcing complex work packages.
• Extensive knowledge in NI LabVIEW & TestStand.
• Degree qualified (or equivalent).
• Strong schedule and budget control.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
• Understanding of engineering lifecycle and business processes.

Responsibilities

• Create and capture requirements for Test Equipment Requirement Specifications (TERS).
• Lead subcontracting of complex test solutions to the supply chain.
• Manage relationships between LEUK and 3rd party suppliers.
• Ensure effective implementation of Life-cycle design reviews.
• Manage engineering technical quality, schedule and budget.
• Support supplier management and Make/Buy decisions.
• Identify technical risks and mitigation strategies for test solutions.
• Document design rationale where changes are required.
• Input to Material Review Boards and Failure Review Boards.
• Concession management with closure plans.

Skills

Test Solutions design

Systems/Software lifecycle

External suppliers outsourcing

LabVIEW

TestStand

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

NI LabVIEW

TestStand

Job description

Job Description:

Job Description:

Salary: £53, 260 to £71,400

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Your Impact

The Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) currently installed on the Eurofighter Typhoon, provides protection against air-to-air and surface-to-air threats, by monitoring and proactively responding to the operational environment.

Leonardo has a fantastic opportunity for a Principal Test Solutions Engineer join this exciting project and to support the Engineering Management of Test Solutions.

As the Principal Engineer for the subcontract of complex Microwave test solutions, the Principal Test Solutions Engineer will need to be a talented and experienced Engineer, familiar with working on complex electronic (ideally RF, Digital and analogue based) Test Solutions.

What you will do:

• Create and capture requirements for Test Equipment Requirement Specifications (TERS)
• Lead in subcontracting complex test solutions to the supply chain
• Manage the relationships between LEUK and 3rd party suppliers
• Ensure effective implementation of the company's Life-cycle design reviews
• Management of the Engineering technical quality, schedule and budget
• Support the management of Suppliers and project Make/Buy decisions as required
• Identify technical risks and mitigation strategies e.g. with test solutions or obsolescence
• Ensure that the design rationale is documented where change is required
• Input to Material Review Boards and Failure Review Boards
• Concession management – ensuring effective closure plans are in place and enacted

What you’ll bring

• Hands-on experience of designing complex Test Solutions for the full life cycle
• Good understanding of a range of electronic technologies from dc to light or a good understand of Systems/Software engineering lifecycle.
• Experience of working with external supplies and outsourcing complex work packages.
• Extensive knowledge in NI LabVIEW & TestStand.
• Degree qualified (or equivalent)
• Good schedule and budget control
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong leadership competency but also can demonstrate team working skills
• Knowledge of engineering life cycle and business process.

It would be nice if you had:

• Good understanding of digital/analogue/RF systems with ESM and ECM
• Experience of working in the defence electronics sector, ideally with airborne sensor systems.
• Chartered Engineer status, or a member of a professional engineering institution

Travel within the UK will be required for this role

Travel within Europe may be required for this role

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location:

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid