Principal System Test Engineer in Southampton

The Principal Test Engineer will design, implement, and maintain automated and manual test systems for 5G RF and wireless communication products, ensuring reliable verification and validation across AccelerComm’s product portfolio. This is a key hands-on role, which will play an important part in the growth of AccelerComm. The role is mainly office based and includes occasional global travel to support customer engagements and technical partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop automated test systems — Build modular, scalable test frameworks (primarily in Python, with some C/C++) for 5G RF and digital interface environments.
• Deliver 3GPP‑aligned testing — Implement and execute tests across 5G/6G domains using automated tools and custom platforms.
• Capture and translate requirements — Work with product and development teams to define test requirements and convert them into test architectures and scripts.
• Integrate test systems — Ensure development, integration, and system‑level tests operate consistently across all components and products.
• Develop digital interface test capability — Build test solutions for emerging high‑speed digital interfaces and associated challenges.
• Produce technical documentation — Create clear user guides, architecture descriptions, design specifications, and test procedures as part of deliverables.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

• HNC or Degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Wireless Communications, or High‑Frequency Technology.

Essential Skills

• RF test proficiency — Able to configure and operate RF test equipment (e.g., VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators) and interpret results.
• 5G/6G knowledge — Demonstrates understanding of 3GPP specifications, RF behaviour, and wireless system architecture.
• Automation experience — Builds automated test workflows, including remote operation, logging, and reproducibility.
• System level thinking — Derives test requirements from architecture diagrams and specifications.
• Technical communication — Produces clear documentation and explains technical concepts to internal teams and customers.
• Python development — Writes modular, well-structured Python code suitable for automated test systems; able to complete a short coding exercise.
• Problem solving — Diagnoses issues using data, logs, and measurements; proposes structured solutions.

Desirable Skills

• Industry automation tools — Experience with CI/CD, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, or lab automation frameworks.
• Customer requirement analysis — Ability to translate customer expectations into test deliverables.
• RF design/test methods — Familiarity with RF design principles and advanced measurement techniques.

Core Behaviours

• Ownership and Delivery — Takes responsibility for delivering high-quality outcomes, managing priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Constructive Challenge — Raises concerns or alternative approaches in a professional, evidence-based manner.
• Clear Communication — Communicates clearly and professionally in written, verbal, and presentation formats.
• Collaboration — Works effectively with others, shares knowledge openly, and contributes to team success.
• Customer Focus — Builds trust with customers and stakeholders by understanding needs and delivering reliable solutions.
• Continuous Improvement — Identifies opportunities to improve processes, tools, and test approaches.
• Adaptability — Responds effectively to changing priorities, technologies, or project requirements.

What Success Looks Like

• Reliable, scalable test systems supporting multiple products.
• High test coverage aligned to requirements and standards.
• Efficient automation reducing manual testing effort.
• Strong collaboration across engineering and customer teams.
• Focus on shared goals and teamwork.
• Positive customer feedback on technical support and engagement.

Benefits

Joining AccelerComm means becoming part of an ambitious, collaborative team delivering technology that is already making an impact at global scale. Based at Southampton Science Park, the company offers a modern, flexible working environment with strong links to a vibrant local technology ecosystem. Employees are empowered to innovate, work with the latest tools and technologies, and contribute directly to the evolution of high performance wireless systems. With a culture rooted in technical excellence, openness, and continuous improvement, AccelerComm offers a genuine opportunity to influence both product direction and engineering practices. We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package which includes pension, life assurance and healthcare. We have flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working, to support a healthy work‑life balance while enabling teams to collaborate effectively on complex, cutting edge challenges. Facilities including a popular coffee shop, good transport links, on-site nursery, secure bike storage, shower facilities and pay-as-you-go electric car charge points.

Sponsorship — AccelerComm can offer certificates of sponsorship for successful international candidates.