Principal Test & Testability Engineer

Principal Test & Testability EngineerHybrid Working Competitive Salary + Bonus + Excellent BenefitsShape the Future of Advanced Defence Technology A rare opportunity has arisen for an accomplished Principal Test & Testability Engineer to join a highly respected engineering organisation working at the forefront of complex, mission-critical systems development.This is a strategic technical leadership position for an experienced engineer who thrives on solving challenging problems, influencing engineering direction, and driving excellence across the full product lifecycle. You will play a pivotal role in defining test strategies, improving testability, influencing system architecture, and ensuring robust verification solutions for cutting-edge electronic and electro-mechanical systems.If you have a passion for engineering innovation, test architecture, diagnostics, and technical leadership, this role offers the chance to make a genuine impact within a collaborative and highly skilled environment.The Opportunity As a Principal Test & Testability Engineer, you will act as a recognised technical expert, supporting multiple high-profile development programmes from concept through to production and in-service support.Working closely with senior engineering stakeholders, you will be responsible for defining and improving test methodologies, enhancing diagnostic capability, and ensuring products are designed with effective testability embedded from the outset.You will also have the opportunity to mentor engineers, influence technical strategy, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the wider engineering function.Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead project-level test and testability strategies.
• Establish robust test architectures for complex electronic systems.
• Drive Design for Test (DfT) and testability best practices throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop requirements and specifications for test equipment and diagnostic solutions.
• Analyse production and test data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead failure investigations and technical problem-solving activities.
• Model and analyse system behaviour to assess test coverage and diagnostic effectiveness.
• Support design reviews, technical assessments, and risk reduction activities.
• Provide expert guidance on test, verification, diagnostics, and fault-finding methodologies.
• Mentor and develop engineers within multidisciplinary teams.
• Support technology roadmaps, innovation initiatives, and future capability development.
• Contribute to bids, proposals, and new programme activities where required.

What We're Looking For We are keen to speak with experienced engineers from aerospace, defence, electronics, telecommunications, automotive, rail, energy, or other highly regulated engineering sectors.Essential Experience

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Electronics, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience within electronic test, verification, validation, integration, or testability engineering.
• Strong understanding of electronic circuit design, test methodologies, and failure analysis techniques.
• Experience developing or specifying automated test equipment and diagnostic solutions.
• Proven background in requirements capture and technical specification development.
• Knowledge of Design for Test (DfT) and testability principles.
• Experience influencing technical decisions across complex engineering projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentor engineering teams.

Desirable Experience

• Systems engineering or systems architecture experience.
• Reliability, maintainability, or diagnostic modelling knowledge.
• Experience analysing production, qualification, or field performance data.
• Exposure to safety-critical or mission-critical systems.
• Project planning or technical leadership responsibility within large engineering programmes.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary package.
• Performance-related bonus.
• Monthly car allowance.
• Generous pension contribution.
• Private medical insurance.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Excellent learning, development, and career progression opportunities.
• The chance to work on technically complex and nationally significant engineering programmes.

Why Apply? This is more than a traditional test engineering role. It is an opportunity to become a recognised technical authority, influence major engineering decisions, and shape the future direction of advanced technology programmes. If you're an experienced Test Architect, Principal Test Engineer, Testability Engineer, Verification Engineer, Integration & Test Lead, Systems Engineer, Electronics Test Specialist, or Diagnostics Engineer seeking your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.Apply today or contact us for a confidential discussion.Please note that due to the nature of the projects involved, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of UK security clearance.