Principal Test & Acceptance Engineer

Principal Test & Acceptance Engineer

Location

Dorset Innovation Park, Winfrith (Hybrid/Flexible)

Salary

Competitive

Sector

Defence / Maritime Engineering

Overview

Morson Edge are recruiting on behalf of ATLAS UK for a Principal Test & Acceptance Engineer to join their growing engineering team.

This is a senior opportunity to lead test and acceptance activities across cutting-edge maritime and defence systems, supporting the delivery of innovative, high-performance products used in mission-critical environments.

You’ll play a key role in driving technical excellence, mentoring engineers, and shaping best practices across test and integration functions.

The Role

You will lead and deliver test activities across a range of complex engineering projects, ensuring systems are verified, validated, and ready for customer deployment.

Key responsibilities include

• Leading test phases and major test events across projects
• Developing test plans, procedures, and schedules
• Managing test activities in line with budgets and timelines
• Performing and overseeing system testing, qualification, and verification
• Supporting system integration and “Set to Work” activities
• Analysing test data and producing detailed technical reports
• Reviewing and approving test documentation
• Ensuring compliance with internal processes and external standards (including safety)
• Supporting bid and project activities alongside the T&A Manager
• Driving continuous improvement and best practices across test teams
• Providing mentoring and technical leadership within the team

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in test, trials, and acceptance activities
• Strong understanding of engineering lifecycles and processes
• Experience in environmental testing
• Knowledge of electrical and/or mechanical testing
• Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and reports
• Experience working with military or maritime systems
• Familiarity with engineering standards (e.g. Def Stan, Mil-Spec)

Desirable

• Experience in sectors such as defence, marine, aerospace, rail, or nuclear
• Experience with requirements tools such as DOORS or DOORS NG
• Specialist knowledge in an engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, acoustic, sonar, etc.)

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship, HNC, HND or Degree in Engineering or a relevant scientific discipline
• Membership of a professional body (e.g. IET or IMechE), or working towards

Requirements

• Eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC)
• Able to commute to Dorset Innovation Park

Working Arrangements & Benefits

• Flexible working options (including part-time or condensed hours)
• Supportive environment promoting work-life balance
• Opportunity to work on advanced defence technologies
• Ongoing training and professional development

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Test & Acceptance Engineer looking to step into a leadership role within a highly specialised and impactful engineering environment.