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Principal Quality Test Engineer (Hardware)

Rowden

Job Location:

Bristol - UK

Yearly Salary: GBP 75000 - 95000

Posted: 26 June 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 15 October 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Department:

Engineering

Job Summary

Were building the UKs next generation engineering powerhouse providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

We specialise in turning advances in sensing AI and communications into operational capability for the edge where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology improving decision-making for frontline teams and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.

Headquartered in Bristol Rowden employs around 200 people and operates over 20000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europes fastest-growing engineering businesses.

The Role

We are building a dedicated hardware quality assurance capability and are looking for someone to lead it. As Principal Quality Test Engineer you will establish and shape the function defining test methodologies building laboratory capability growing the team and setting the quality standards that underpin every hardware product we deliver.

Our hardware portfolio spans technically demanding and varied domains: multi-frequency RF hardware (including custom software-defined radios) networked communication devices custom electronics and ruggedised mechanical products. You will develop the test practices quality assurance processes and laboratory capability needed to assure quality across this entire spectrum.

This role sits at the heart of our product delivery working closely with our VP Engineering VP Product and Principal SW Test Engineer. Your work determines what ships to end users and the confidence we have in quality at every stage of the development cycle.

This role requires a minimum of 3 days per week on-site at our Bristol HQ.

Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.

More information about security clearance is available here: Key areas of responsibility

Hardware test discipline and methods

Establish hardware test methodologies protocols and standards across RF electronics networking and mechanical products.
Define test coverage requirements acceptance criteria and quality gates for all product lines from prototype through production.
Build scalable documented test processes that enable repeatable quality verification and traceability.

Test laboratory and capability

Design and build the hardware test laboratory with appropriate instrumentation RF test equipment and automation capability.
Own equipment selection calibration validation and maintenance across the test environment.
Develop test automation to improve efficiency and reduce cycle time.

Team and culture

Build and lead a growing hardware QA team attracting and developing high-calibre test engineers.
Mentor engineers and establish a culture of quality discipline and technical excellence.
Work closely with product engineering manufacturing and supply chain teams to translate quality requirements into scalable practical and repeatable processes.

Quality delivery

Lead hardware quality assurance and testing activities across all product lines and stages of development.
Identify issues early escalate risks and provide the engineering team with actionable feedback.
Ensure products meet specification reliability and performance standards before shipping.

Key skills experience and behaviours

We are looking for someone with:

Extensive experience in hardware test engineering ideally gained across multiple domains (RF/communications custom electronics mechanical products or similar).
Proven ability to establish test functions design test strategies and build scalable quality processes.
Strong hands-on experience with RF instrumentation test equipment and measurement techniques.
Practical understanding of electronics PCB validation signal integrity and mechanical product reliability.
Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments bringing structure rigour and clarity to complex technical challenges.
Experience leading technical teams and mentoring engineers across multiple disciplines.
Experience in defence aerospace communications or similarly demanding technical environments would be valuable but is not essential.
An RF/CEMA/EW background would be useful but is not essential.

About you

You combine technical depth with sound engineering judgement and a relentless focus on quality and reliability.
You are energised by the opportunity to build and lead a new capability within a fast-growing mission-focused company.
You thrive in an environment with high levels of ownership autonomy and accountability.
You are committed to working from Rowdens Bristol HQ at least three days per week except where customer commitments require additional time.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible inclusive and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills experience and backgrounds so please apply and come as you are!

We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible hybrid-working model with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.

Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.

Finally if you feel that you dont meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience wed still love to hear from you!

Required Experience:

Staff IC

Apply Now

About Company

Rowden

Rowden designs and builds systems, infrastructure, and applications to deliver mission advantage to those working to protect the security of the UK and its allies. We are setting a new standard in government technology provision: hyper-efficient engineering, better customer relationsh ... View more

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