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MBDA

Principal Test Development Engineer

Bristol
£55k/yr
Posted 6 days ago
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Principal Test Development Engineer

Principal Test Development Engineer

Location: Bristol

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Test Development Engineer to contribute to the design, integration, and validation of test system hardware solutions, joining our highly skilled and dynamic Test Equipment Design Team. Join us for a stimulating and rewarding role with an exciting career path.

Salary & Relocation

  • Salary: Circa £55,000, depending on experience
  • Location: Stevenage, Bristol, or Bolton (Relocation package may be available)

Role Requirements

  • Must be a British citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship
  • Travel requirement: Bristol/Bolton-based candidates will need to travel to Stevenage once a month on average.
  • Security clearance: Must pass HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) after the offer stage.

Benefits

  • Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (varies annually based on company performance)
  • Pension: Max 14% total contribution (employer + employee)
  • Overtime: Paid overtime opportunities
  • Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
  • Flexible working: Encouraged for all applicants
  • Enhanced Parental Leave: Up to 26 weeks for maternity/adoption, plus shared parental leave. Additional enhancements include paternity, neonatal, and fertility supports
  • Site facilities: Subsidised meals, free car parking, and more

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The Opportunity

Your role will involve:

  • Defining and specifying test approaches
  • Identifying potential improvements to test/diagnostic processes
  • Supporting design reviews, manufacturing queries, and reporting to Technical Lead or Equipment Project Manager
  • Leading packages of work, managing deliveries, and assigning tasks to senior engineers
  • Collaborating in an international team

Potential Career Paths (Depending on Experience)

  1. Technical Leadership

    • Ownership and leadership of test equipment technical design solutions
    • Responsible for work packages, resourcing, and team management
  2. Test Equipment Architect

    • Advising customers on test equipment requirements
    • Developing system designs to meet requirements
    • Ensuring the developed system aligns with specified performance needs

What We’re Looking For

A skilled candidate with:

  • Proven experience in hardware design supporting test system development, integration, and validation
  • Knowledge of test needs and techniques throughout product lifecycle development
  • Experience in Design Proving, performance testing, environmental testing, and EMC testing
  • Strong documentation skills for test equipment design
  • Demonstrated ability to manage work packages

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About Us: MBDA

Mission: "Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given."

MBDA is a leading defence organisation, collaborating with nations to safeguard freedom and sovereign interests. We proudly support the UK’s armed forces and the broader defence community.

Diversity & Inclusion

We foster a culture of inclusion through employee-led networks:

  • Gender Equality
  • Pride
  • Menopause Matters
  • Parents and Carers
  • Armed Forces
  • Ethnic Diversity
  • Neurodiversity
  • Disability

We welcome and support all applicants and invite you to discuss any adjustments you may need. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, or Instagram for more information, or visit the MBDA Careers website.

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Skills

Hardware Design
Test System Integration
Validation
Test Equipment Design
Environmental Testing
EMC Testing
Document Writing
Project Management

Location

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

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