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Principal Test Development Engineer

Ultra Electronics Group Maidenhead, England, United Kingdom

onsitefull-time
Posted Jul 1, 2026

**Role & seniority: ** Principal Test Development Engineer (Principal/Senior technical, test development leadership)

**Stack/tools: **

  • NI TestStand, CVI, LabVIEW

  • C programming

  • Test development for FPGA digital products

  • RF testing up to 20 GHz

  • Documentation/tools: Word, Excel, Visio (office tools)

  • Test interfaces (nice): Ethernet, I2C, SPI, RS232, RS485

  • JTAG testing (Provision tools), JTAG Technologies

  • Top 3 responsibilities:

    1. Design and implement test solutions for new electronic products for qualification and production

    2. Develop test software/firmware and commission test facilities (including calibration procedures)

    3. Maintain and improve legacy test equipment; lead design-for-test and cross-functional interfacing protocols

  • Must-have skills:

    • Automated test program development with TestStand + CVI/LabVIEW

    • Strong C development

    • Basic 2D mechanical drawings for test facilities

    • Basic electrical circuit/wiring documentation for test boxes/cables

    • Ability to produce clear test procedures/instructions and use office/documentation tools

    • Experience testing digital FPGA-based products

    • Experience testing RF products up to 20 GHz

    • Knowledge/discipline to maintain security of information

  • Nice-to-haves:

    • Experience with Ethernet/I2C/SPI/serial interface testing (**RS2

Full Description

Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications Cyber (UK) Business Powering Decision Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield—find your place in the future of defense. Cyber Business Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide. Job Description Based at our Cyber Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead. As Principal Test Development Engineer, your primary role is the design and implementation of test solutions for new electronic products as they are developed and brought into production. You will maintain and enhance existing test facilities, supporting current and legacy products. You will collaborate with the engineering function to ensure product designs are optimised for efficient, reliable testing. Key Responsibilities: Provide cost estimates and lead times for test equipment development required during the bid and proposal process. Lead and contribute to design-for-test activities ensuring that new designs can be successfully tested. Define efficient and cost-effective test solutions for testing products both in production and Qualification phase of a products development and introduction into production. Design the test facility and production of the documentation to enable efficient manufacturing and testing. Support the manufacture of the test facility. Develop test software and firmware that is required for the test facility. Commission of the test facility, including identifying and producing calibration procedure when required. Create clear test procedures and documentation, describing the procedure for using developed equipment to enable testing of the finished products during production and qualification activities. Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to define the interfacing protocols regarding software development. Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve existing legacy test equipment. Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual. Required Experience, Skills and Qualifications: Proficient in developing automated test programs using National Instruments TestStand and CVI or LabView Strong experience in 'C' based programming Experienced in creating basic 2D mechanical drawings for test facilities. Experienced in creating basic electrical circuit drawing and wiring information for test boxes and cables. Skilled in generating consistent written instructions on how to perform a test. Proficient with using standard office tools (Word, Excel, Visio etc.). Experience in developing testing digital FPGA based products. Experience in developing testing RF products up to 20 GHz. Desirable Experience, Skills and Qualifications: Experience testing Ethernet interfaces, I2C, SPI, RS232, RS485 is an advantage. Experience in testing products using JTAG test methods using JATG Technologies Provision tools Familiarity with AS9100 and DAOS Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing and able to obtain, and maintain, SC to DV security clearance #LI-DC1 #LI-IC #LI-ONSITE Notice Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export-controlled material as defined by the role's requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website. Our Benefits Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including: Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme Private Medical Cover 25 days’ holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days Pension Contribution 4 x Life Assurance Cover Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more Security Clearance Allowance – where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers. We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible. If you have any issues with your application, please email us at careers@ultra-ic.com Ultra I&C is powering decision speed across the multidomain battlespace with resilient tactical communications, mission optimization and encryption technologies. We secure, move and make sense of data across all domains—delivering real-time, mission-ready intelligence that gives operators at the edge the clarity to act and the speed to win. For decades, global defense forces and allied partners have relied on Ultra I&C to outpace threats and cut through complexity on the battlefield. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, we deliver battle-proven technology purpose-built for decision advantage in contested, high-threat environments.

National Instruments TestStandCVILabViewC Programming2D Mechanical DrawingElectrical Circuit DrawingFPGA TestingRF TestingEthernet InterfacesI2CSPIRS232RS485JTAGAS9100DAOSmulti-location

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