Principal Test Development Engineer

Job Title: Principal Test Development Engineer
Location: Ashford
Salary: £DOE

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Test Development Engineer to join a specialist engineering organisation in the design and manufacture of sophisticated, unmanned aerial and surface systems used internationally for realistic testing, evaluation and operator training.

As part of a highly skilled Engineering Team, you will play a key role in developing and maintaining the automated test capability that supports complex electronic products throughout their lifecycle.

The Role

As a Principal Test Development Engineer, you will provide technical leadership within the test engineering function while remaining hands-on with complex electronic and software-based automated test solutions.

You will lead the development and evolution of automated test systems, support production-critical test equipment and work closely with design, manufacturing and production teams to ensure robust and effective test capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain, enhance and support existing NI-based Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems.
• Lead the design, development and verification of automated test solutions using NI TestStand, LabVIEW and FlexStand.
• Design and develop test fixtures and commission new test capability for products and electronic subsystems.
• Work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to embed Design for Test (DFT) principles into new product development.
• Provide technical leadership within the test engineering function.
• Mentor and support engineers, helping to develop technical capability across the team.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex test equipment and production test issues.
• Develop and maintain test documentation, processes and technical standards.
• Contribute to the development of future automated test strategies and capabilities.
• Support production and NPI activities, ensuring test solutions are robust, repeatable and fit for purpose.

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Strong hands-on experience developing automated test systems using NI TestStand.
• Practical experience developing test solutions using LabVIEW.
• Proven experience in Automated Test Equipment (ATE) design, development, commissioning or support.
• Strong electronics engineering knowledge, including the ability to interpret and work from electronic schematics.
• Experience working within a production, manufacturing or NPI environment.
• Experience designing, integrating or troubleshooting electronic test systems.
• Practical experience using laboratory and test instrumentation including:
• Oscilloscopes
• Digital multimeters (DMMs)
• Signal generators
• Data acquisition equipment
• Strong problem-solving and fault-finding skills.
• Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring or guidance to other engineers.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable professional experience working within TestStand-based automated test environments.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Security Clearance (SC) or eligibility to gain is required to be considered for this vacancy

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