Principal Test Systems Engineer

Leonardo; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Award-winning benefits

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Training courses

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

Job summary

Leonardo UK in Southampton seeks a Principal Test Systems Engineer to lead the design, procurement, and delivery of test equipment for infrared detectors, coordinating a multi-disciplinary team. The role combines hands-on testing, system integration, and governance documentation, with opportunities to work on optical, thermal, and electronic test activities within a supportive benefits package.

You will own work packages, manage costs, and present results at IPT meetings, contributing to product

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Test Engineer with hands-on capability.
• Ability to verify electro-mechanical test systems and troubleshoot.
• Experience with electro-optics, thermal cryogenics and related hardware.
• Strong organisation, planning and documentation skills.
• Good communication and customer liaison abilities.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of work packages and deliver to time and budget.
• Identify needs for proposed test systems for detectors/modules.
• Generate work packages and cost estimates for delivery.
• Develop, install and commission new test capability.
• Prove test systems meet requirements and report results.
• Author governance and design documentation as needed.
• Act as Test Lead at Integrated Product Team meetings.

Skills

Electro-optics

Electrical test

Thermal cryogenics

Mechanical assembly

Lab testing

Test lead

Documentation

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

HNC/HND or higher

Physics or Engineering

Tools

Test software

Electro-optical equipment

Optical instrumentation

Job description

Job Description

Leonardo has an exciting vacancy for a Principal Test Systems Engineer, based at our dedicated Test Facility in Southampton. We are looking for an experienced Test Engineer to act as point of contact for Project Teams and coordinate the work for a multi-disciplined team of Test Engineers.

This role presents an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual to develop and grow their skills and knowledge within a thriving organisation and not to mention an award-winning benefits package!

Your impact

As Principal Test Systems Engineer you will be responsible for the specification, design, procurement, manufacture, verification and evaluation of test equipment and procedures. Supporting projects with documentation and delivery to agreed budget and timescales.

Typical test equipment will include optical, thermal and electronic components as well as test software. Although not expected to be an expert in all these areas the role will require hands on activity, therefore a wide knowledge and proven experience is desired to bring all these aspects together to provide a reliable test system. To support the design, development and through-life support of electro-optical test equipment and test processes for the company’s range of Infrared Detectors, from initial product development through to volume production.

Responsibilities include;

• Take ownership and deliver work packages to time and budget. Tracking costs and task progress.
• Identify the needs to deliver the proposed test system(s) for the detector or module development.
• Generate work packages and estimate the cost to deliver those needs.
• Develop, procure, instal and commission new test capability for testing the performance of our new development product types.
• Prove by testing the new test systems and reporting how they meet the requirements.
• Authoring and presenting where necessary governance and technical documentation, for example those needed for Declaration of Design and Performance.
• Act as Test Lead at Integrated Product Team meetings.

What you’ll bring

You will have proven experience as a Test Engineer, with the following attributes;

• HNC/HND or higher or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline, e.g. Physics, Engineering.
• Ability to verify and validate electro-mechanical test systems, fault finding and problem solving.
• Ability to assimilate and apply technical information to design tasks.
• Demonstrate evidence of good organisation, planning and execution of work
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work closely in a team with other engineering and science disciplines.
• Good Communication and customer liaison skills.
• Careful Measurement and analytical skillset.
• Experience of the following areas: Electrical test, Electro-optics, thermal cryogenics, mechanical assembly.
• Practical ‘hands on’ laboratory test, diagnostic and measurement experience, including electro-optical and optical communication instrumentation.

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 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.

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 - Southampton

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid