Principal Engineer - Electronic Security in Watford

Lead the Future of Electronic Security – Join BRE as our Principal Engineer! Are you ready to shape the next generation of electronic security standards and innovation? At BRE, we’re looking for a visionary Principal Engineer to drive technical excellence and lead groundbreaking projects in our dynamic Electronic Security department. This is your chance to make a real impact in a trusted, mission-driven organisation committed to safety, performance, and sustainability. Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable!

BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.

Your role at BRE: As a Principal Engineer, you will lead the Electronic Security team within BRE Global, overseeing the evaluation and assessment of electronic security products and systems. This position ensures high-quality technical and commercial delivery, directly supporting product certification under the LPCB brand.

• Lead and manage the technical delivery of electronic security testing and certification projects
• Oversee the operation and development of team capabilities and laboratory facilities
• Ensure projects are completed on time, to budget, and in line with client expectations
• Support the growth of the team to meet increasing demand from commercial and public sector clients
• Maintain high standards of technical quality, accuracy, and compliance with relevant standards (e.g. EN 50131, EN 50136, EN 60839)
• Undertake hands-on testing and technical assessments where necessary
• Contribute to business planning, budgeting, and financial performance monitoring
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, reporting, and service delivery
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external clients to deliver high-impact outcomes

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate the following:

• A qualification in Electronic Engineering (preferably at degree level)
• Significant industry experience in a related role, such as within the security industry, a quality or testing laboratory, or another electronics-based environment
• Proven experience managing or overseeing a small technical team
• A track record of delivering projects on time and within budget
• Experience with financial planning, budgeting, and business performance monitoring (including P&L responsibility)
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients and internal stakeholders at all levels
• Proactive and motivated approach, with the ability to make informed decisions and lead others in complex situations
• High standards of quality, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Practical experience using measurement instrumentation (e.g. multimeters, oscilloscopes)
• Understanding of uncertainty of measurement and its application in testing environments
• Competence in common IT tools including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams
• Ability to interpret technical documentation such as circuit schematics and technical drawings

• Familiarity with the security industry and general knowledge of security products and systems
• Experience with the EN 50131, EN 50136, and EN 60839 series of standards
• Background in quality control or compliance
• Experience managing multiple engineering projects concurrently
• Ability to convert technical specifications into actionable test or project plans
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

• Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution
• Life assurance – 4x your basic salary
• Enhanced maternity package

• HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more
• Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points

• Learning & development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform
• Professional membership reimbursement

For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits

On-Site – This role requires full-time presence at our Watford office. You must live within a commutable distance.

Online Assessment: Shortly after you apply (within approximately 10 minutes), you’ll receive a link to complete an online assessment. This takes around 20 minutes and helps us better understand your skills and suitability.

At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.