Principal Test Systems Engineer
// Role Summary
Seeking a Principal Test Systems Engineer in Southampton to lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated test equipment for advanced defence projects. This role offers a significant opportunity for career growth within a leading global defence organisation.
// Key Responsibilities
- Lead the specification, design, procurement, and verification of complex test systems.
- Coordinate a multi-disciplinary team of Test Engineers for project support.
- Support the through-life of electro-optical test equipment for Infrared Detectors.
- Manage work packages, budgets, and timelines effectively.
- Requires hands-on experience with optical, thermal, electronic components, and test software.
- BPSS clearance required, with potential for SC or DV.
// Role Specification
Principal Test Systems Engineer - Southampton
Leonardo is seeking an experienced Principal Test Systems Engineer to join our dedicated Test Facility in Southampton. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to make a significant impact, act as the primary point of contact for Project Teams, and coordinate the work of a multi-disciplined team of Test Engineers. You will play a key role in the development and growth of skills within a thriving, award-winning organisation.
Your Impact
As Principal Test Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of test equipment and procedures, including specification, design, procurement, manufacture, verification, and evaluation. You will provide crucial documentation and delivery support to projects, ensuring adherence to agreed budgets and timescales. The role involves hands-on activity and requires a broad knowledge base covering optical, thermal, and electronic components, as well as test software, to integrate these into reliable test systems. You will support the design, development, and through-life support of electro-optical test equipment and processes for the company’s range of Infrared Detectors, from initial product development through to volume production.
Responsibilities:
- Take ownership and deliver work packages to agreed time and budget, tracking costs and task progress.
- Identify the necessary resources and capabilities to deliver proposed test systems for detector or module development.
- Generate work packages and accurately estimate the cost to deliver required capabilities.
- Develop, procure, install, and commission new test capabilities for assessing the performance of new development product types.
- Validate new test systems through rigorous testing and report on their requirement compliance.
- Author and present governance and technical documentation, including Declaration of Design and Performance, as required.
- Act as Test Lead in Integrated Product Team meetings.
What You'll Bring:
We are looking for candidates with proven experience as a Test Engineer, possessing the following attributes:
- HNC/HND or higher qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Physics, Engineering), or equivalent experience.
- Ability to verify and validate electro-mechanical test systems, with strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
- Capacity to assimilate and apply technical information effectively to design tasks.
- Demonstrated evidence of good organisation, planning, and execution of work.
- Keen attention to detail.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within a team of diverse engineering and science disciplines.
- Good communication and customer liaison skills.
- A careful measurement and analytical skillset.
- Experience in Electrical test, Electro-optics, thermal cryogenics, and 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). Additional Personnel Security Controls (National Security Vetting - NSV) may apply, potentially including eligibility for Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information, please visit the Leonardo careers website.
Why Join Us:
At Leonardo, our people are central to our success. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance. Benefits include:
- Generous annual leave, with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days.
- An award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and inclusive employee-led networks.
- Eligibility for a bonus scheme for employees at management level and below.
- Free access to over 4,000 online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- A financial reward through our refer-a-friend programme.
- Annual flexible benefits allowance (up to £500) for private healthcare, dental, tech, gym memberships, and more.
- Flexible working hours with hybrid working options.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace where diversity drives innovation. If you require any accessibility support during the recruitment process, please inform us.
Primary Location: GB - Southampton
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid