Principal Test Definition Engineer

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Bristol

Salary

£48,000-£53,000 (dependent on experience)

Dynamic (hybrid) working

2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification.

Security Clearance

British citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. After offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

  • Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance)
  • Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
  • Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
  • Flexi Leave: up to 15 additional days
  • Flexible working: We welcome applicants seeking flexible working arrangements
  • Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, with enhancements available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
  • Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals and free car parking
  • Healthcare Cash Plan: Option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing

The opportunity

To verify complex systems, you need reliable test solutions. The Test Equipment Definition (TE) team specifies, delivers and supports a variety of test equipment used throughout the development lifecycle. This includes manual switch boxes for hardware testing, fully‑automated test solutions for high‑rate manufacturing, and software‑defined simulators for systems integration.

Mission

  • Establish world‑class Test Solutions, Environment Simulators and Emulators for internal use and for customers’ Armed Forces
  • Contribute to MBDA’s international Weapon System Test Equipment Strategy, balancing technology re‑use with emerging technology trends
  • Apply the Weapon System Test Equipment and Testability Strategies to all new programmes and through‑life enhancement upgrades

What we're looking for from you

  • Define clear requirements and acceptance criteria
  • Develop and understand interface specifications
  • Contribute to key activities in the engineering development lifecycle
  • Manage schedule, cost, quality and performance metrics for assigned work packages
  • Work within a multi‑discipline engineering team (e.g. systems, mechanical, electrical, software)
  • Understand the benefits of re‑use versus new development
  • Capture transversal engineering stakeholder needs (e.g. safety, cyber, human factors, customer support services)

Additional responsibilities as experience grows

  • Run peer and design reviews
  • Limit technical risks through application of mitigation strategies
  • Grow your professional network within our multi‑national defence organisation

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Company: MBDA
Apply for the Principal Test Definition Engineer
Location: Bristol
Job Description:

Bristol

Salary

£48,000-£53,000 (dependent on experience)

Dynamic (hybrid) working

2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification.

Security Clearance

British citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. After offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

  • Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance)
  • Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
  • Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
  • Flexi Leave: up to 15 additional days
  • Flexible working: We welcome applicants seeking flexible working arrangements
  • Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, with enhancements available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
  • Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals and free car parking
  • Healthcare Cash Plan: Option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing

The opportunity

To verify complex systems, you need reliable test solutions. The Test Equipment Definition (TE) team specifies, delivers and supports a variety of test equipment used throughout the development lifecycle. This includes manual switch boxes for hardware testing, fully‑automated test solutions for high‑rate manufacturing, and software‑defined simulators for systems integration.

Mission

  • Establish world‑class Test Solutions, Environment Simulators and Emulators for internal use and for customers’ Armed Forces
  • Contribute to MBDA’s international Weapon System Test Equipment Strategy, balancing technology re‑use with emerging technology trends
  • Apply the Weapon System Test Equipment and Testability Strategies to all new programmes and through‑life enhancement upgrades

What we’re looking for from you

  • Define clear requirements and acceptance criteria
  • Develop and understand interface specifications
  • Contribute to key activities in the engineering development lifecycle
  • Manage schedule, cost, quality and performance metrics for assigned work packages
  • Work within a multi‑discipline engineering team (e.g. systems, mechanical, electrical, software)
  • Understand the benefits of re‑use versus new development
  • Capture transversal engineering stakeholder needs (e.g. safety, cyber, human factors, customer support services)

Additional responsibilities as experience grows

  • Run peer and design reviews
  • Limit technical risks through application of mitigation strategies
  • Grow your professional network within our multi‑national defence organisation

#J-18808-Ljbffr…

Posted: May 15th, 2026