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Principal Engineer - Testing

  • Location:

    Bedfordshire

  • Sector:

    Engineering

  • Job type:

    Permanent

  • Salary:

    Up to £70,000 (DOE) + bonus

  • Contact:

    Kym Herring

  • Contact email:

    kym.herring@seismicgroup.co.uk

  • Contact phone:

    01275867411

  • Job ref:

    SEI6343P

  • Published:

    about 8 hours ago

  • Expiry date:

    2026-03-15

Principal Engineer – Testing

Bedfordshire

Permanent | Onsite | 37 hours a week: 08:00-16:00 (some flexibility)

Up to £70,000 (DOE) + bonus

A globally renowned and recognised automotive testing and engineering organisation is searching for a Principal Engineer to lead operations within their specialist Passive Safety division. Based at their expansive proving ground in Bedfordshire, you will manage the performance and growth of a highly advanced servo‑sled facility used by major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence strategy, lead a skilled team, and play a key role in future capability development. You will be joining a business with a strong reputation for employee wellbeing, offering generous holiday entitlements, healthcare cashback plans, contributory pension schemes, life cover, enhanced family‑friendly policies, access to a wide range of discounts via their employee rewards platform, and regular recognition for innovation, integrity and expertise!

Your Day-To-Day:

  • Ensure full Health & Safety compliance, including risk assessments and safety observation tours

  • Manage and develop a small team of engineers and technicians

  • Oversee work scheduling, operational planning, and resource allocation

  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives using established tools and processes

  • Manage financial processes: invoicing, PO approvals, and forecasting

  • Support maintenance of ISO17025, ISO9001 and other relevant accreditations

  • Create and manage training and development plans for team members

  • Oversee sled equipment utilisation, troubleshooting, and performance analysis

  • Maintain and enhance sled testing procedures and documentation

What You Will Need:

  • Engineering degree (automotive preferred)

  • 5+ years’ passive safety testing to global standards

  • Proven experience managing a small engineering team

  • Hands‑on sled testing expertise and exposure to Systems/Static Rig testing

  • Experience with CMM tools (e.g., FARO Arm)

  • High‑speed / GoPro / DSLR camera setup experience

  • Strong data acquisition, processing and analysis capability

  • Solid understanding of global passive safety regulations, injury criteria and ATD instrumentation

To apply, please submit a copy of your up-to-date CV indicating your relevant experience. Applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK, and evidence of eligibility will be required. Suitable candidates will be contacted immediately.

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