Overview

UTAC is a market-leading international group in digital & sustainable mobility, customisable testing solutions, vehicle engineering, homologation, regulatory advice & expertise, certification, training, corporate events and classic & sportscars festivals. The Group provides services and systems to customers across sectors including mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence. UTAC operates test centres and laboratories in France, the UK, USA, Finland, Morocco and Germany; with subsidiaries in China, Korea and Japan. UTAC employs around 1300 people. Our core values are Expertise, Innovation and Integrity, guiding how we work together to deliver safe, efficient solutions and great service.

Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Engineer to join the Safety Department based at UTAC Millbrook. The successful candidate will lead and manage the SLED and Safety Systems test team within the Safety Department and be responsible for the functional and operational management of SLED and Safety Systems test facilities and a team of passive safety test engineers and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Lead RFQ reviews for safety test inquiries for SLED & safety systems.
• Liaise with the sales team to support quotations drafting and decision making for incoming test opportunities.
• Manage a team of passive safety test engineers and technicians to deliver test requests to a high standard, on time, and in compliance with OH&S requirements.
• Lead workload planning, scheduling and resource allocation for the SLED & safety systems test team.
• Liaise with customers and witnessing test authorities to align lab requirements and maintain professional relationships.
• Act as primary escalation for customer feedback and implement lessons learned and improvements.
• Support capacity and capability reviews with the department manager and provide data-driven inputs for future scope.
• Set SMART objectives, conduct regular reviews, and maintain a high-performing team.
• Maintain an updated skills matrix and training plan with traceable records.
• Coordinate with finance for timely invoicing and delivery of services.
• Deliver annual revenue targets while meeting budgetary targets.
• Work with the chief engineer to support new business inquiries, new projects, ISO17025 scope expansion, and resolution of findings.
• Maintain ISO accreditation and internal quality standards; support capital expenditure with business cases; contribute to commercial activities as needed.
• Represent UTAC in passive safety working groups and monitor future regulatory trends to inform investment plans.
• Manage assets and stock takes of test instruments; support continuous improvement initiatives and SQCDP framework maintenance.
• Collaborate with the Crash & Safety Systems Principal Engineer to meet department targets; manage day-to-day project and programme activities.
• Demonstrate UTAC core values of Innovation, Integrity and Expertise in all actions.

Qualifications

• Engineering graduate or able to demonstrate equivalent experience in a product test or laboratory environment.

Experience

• Prior safety testing experience to European/Federal/Global regulations and consumer test protocols (Automotive or Aero) is essential.
• Demonstrable test team leadership experience is essential.
• Energetic and motivated to deliver in challenging customer-facing situations.
• Prepared to work extended hours when required and adapt to changing workloads.
• Experience with large complex engineering data and analyses is essential.
• Experience with FARO Arm or other CMM devices is essential.
• Experience setting up and operating high-speed cameras, GoPros and DSLR cameras is essential.
• Data acquisition experience on systems like Messring, DTS, HBM, Kissler, etc. is essential.
• Knowledge of quality standards ISO 9001, ISO14001, ISO45001 and ISO17025 is advantageous.

Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Knowledge of mechanical, instrumentation and electrical principles in vehicle safety testing.
• Strong grounding in engineering principles and applications.
• Understanding of human injury levels and ATD instrumentation limitations.
• Programme and project management for multiple stakeholders and high-value assets.
• Data analysis skills (Diadem, X-Crash, Cam2Measure) and high-speed data/video capture and analysis tools.
• Ability to interpret and draft complex technical documents; process creation and improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; strong IT skills.
• Experience with CAD (CATIA, SolidWorks or similar) is advantageous.

Personal Behaviours

• Lead by example with integrity and motivation; capable of training and developing the team.
• Independent and collaborative; proactive with initiative; comfortable under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to learn and grow; customer-focused and confidential.

Additional Information

• Flexibility to support test activities off-site and outside normal hours; able to travel within the UK and abroad as required.
• Full UK driving license and own transport; willingness to undergo a Criminal Records check and Security Vetting.
• Note: This position is based on site but may require periods of working at other sites in the UK.