Principal Engineer - SLED & Safety Systems
UTAC is a market-leading international group in digital & sustainable mobility, offering customisable testing solutions, vehicle engineering, homologation, regulatory advice, certification, training, corporate events and classic & sportscar festivals. It operates test centres and laboratories across Europe, the US, and Asia, serving sectors such as mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence.
Role
An exciting opportunity for a Principal Engineer to join the Safety Department at UTAC Millbrook. The successful candidate will lead and manage the SLED and Safety Systems test team, overseeing functional and operational management of the test facilities and a team of passive safety test engineers and technicians.
Responsibilities
* Lead RFQ reviews for safety test inquiries for SLED & safety systems.
* Collaborate with the sales team to support quotation drafting and decision‑making for incoming test opportunities.
* Manage a team of passive safety test engineers and technicians to deliver high‑standard test requests on challenging deadlines while adhering to OH&S requirements.
* Lead workload planning, scheduling and resource allocation meetings for the test team.
* Maintain regular liaison with customers and certification authorities to align on lab requirements.
* Act as a primary point of escalation for customer feedback and implement lessons learned.
* Support capacity and capability reviews with the department manager to keep pace with customer demand.
* Set SMART objectives for the test team and conduct regular reviews.
* Maintain an updated skills matrix and training plan for the team.
* Coordinate with finance to ensure timely invoicing of services.
* Deliver annual revenue targets while meeting budgetary goals.
* Collaborate with the Department Chief Engineer on new business enquiries, technical projects and ISO 17025 scope expansion.
* Maintain internal quality standards and external ISO accreditations.
* Support capital expenditure needs and draft business cases.
* Engage in commercial and business development activities for the passive safety function.
* Represent UTAC in passive safety working groups in the UK and worldwide.
* Monitor legalisation and passive safety trends to derive investment plans.
* Conduct asset management and regular stock‑take of test instruments.
* Support the Crash & Safety Systems Principal Engineer on department‑level targets.
* Manage day‑to‑day project and programme on a operational basis.
* Implement continuous improvement initiatives and maintain the SQCDP framework.
* Act in accordance with UTAC core values—Innovation, Integrity, Expertise.
Qualifications
* Engineering graduate or proven equivalent experience in product testing or laboratory environments.
Experience
* Prior safety testing experience to European/Federal/Global regulations and consumer test protocols (automotive or aerospace).
* Demonstrable test team leadership experience.
* Energetic and motivated to deliver in challenging customer‑facing situations.
* Prepared for extended working hours when required.
* Ability to manage a challenging and changing workload.
* Experience with large complex engineering data and analyses.
* Experience using FARO Arm or other CMM devices.
* Experience setting up and operating high‑speed cameras, GoPros, and DSLR cameras.
* Data acquisition experience with Messring, DTS, HBM, Kissler, etc.
* Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 17025 is highly advantageous.
Skills
* Strong team leadership and people management.
* Sound knowledge of mechanical, instrumentation and electrical principles for vehicle safety testing.
* Understanding of human injury levels and ATD instrument limitations.
* Programme and project management across stakeholders and high‑value test assets.
* Strong data analysis and manipulation (Diadem, X‑Crash, Cam2Measure).
* Experience with high‑speed data and video capture & analysis.
* Ability to interpret and draft complex technical documents.
* Process implementation and continuous improvement.
* Excellent oral and written communication.
* Strong IT competence and organisational skills.
* CAD skills (CATIA, SolidWorks) advantageous.
Personal Behaviours
* Strong leadership, inspiring team members.
* Team player with integrity and proactive initiative.
* Willing to train others and drive improvement projects.
* Independent, yet collaborative; highly proactive.
* Ability to work under high pressure and tight deadlines.
* Continuous improvement mindset.
* Willingness to learn and grow professionally.
* Flexibility and adaptability.
* Customer‑focused and confidential.
Additional Information
* Flexibility to support test activity off‑site and outside normal working hours.
* Flexibility to travel within and outside the UK as required.
* Full UK driving licence & own transport required (Millbrook not easily accessible by public transport).
* Willingness to undergo Criminal Records check and Security Vetting.
* Position based at site but may require periods at other UK sites.
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