Principal Test Development Engineer in Kent

Job Title: Principal Test Development Engineer Location: Ashford Salary: £DOE We are currently recruiting for an experienced Test Development Engineer to join a specialist engineering organisation in the design and manufacture of sophisticated, unmanned aerial and surface systems used internationally for realistic testing, evaluation and operator training. As part of a highly skilled Engineering Team, you will play a key role in developing and maintaining the automated test capability that supports complex electronic products throughout their lifecycle. The Role As a Principal Test Development Engineer, you will provide technical leadership within the test engineering function while remaining hands-on with complex electronic and software-based automated test solutions. You will lead the development and evolution of automated test systems, support production-critical test equipment and work closely with design, manufacturing and production teams to ensure robust and effective test capability. Key Responsibilities Maintain, enhance and support existing NI-based Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems. Lead the design, development and verification of automated test solutions using NI TestStand, LabVIEW and FlexStand. Design and develop test fixtures and commission new test capability for products and electronic subsystems. Work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to embed Design for Test (DFT) principles into new product development. Provide technical leadership within the test engineering function. Mentor and support engineers, helping to develop technical capability across the team. Troubleshoot and resolve complex test equipment and production test issues. Develop and maintain test documentation, processes and technical standards. Contribute to the development of future automated test strategies and capabilities. Support production and NPI activities, ensuring test solutions are robust, repeatable and fit for purpose. To be successful in this role, you will ideally have: Strong hands-on experience developing automated test systems using NI TestStand. Practical experience developing test solutions using LabVIEW. Proven experience in Automated Test Equipment (ATE) design, development, commissioning or support. Strong electronics engineering knowledge, including the ability to interpret and work from electronic schematics. Experience working within a production, manufacturing or NPI environment. Experience designing, integrating or troubleshooting electronic test systems. Practical experience using laboratory and test instrumentation including: Oscilloscopes Digital multimeters (DMMs) Signal generators Data acquisition equipment Strong problem-solving and fault-finding skills. Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring or guidance to other engineers. Qualifications Degree or equivalent qualification in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline. Demonstrable professional experience working within TestStand-based automated test environments. ***PLEASE NOTE*** Security Clearance (SC) or eligibility to gain is required to be considered for this vacancy Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business. We will contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview. For a copy of our privacy policy please visit our website.