Principal Engineer - SLED & Safety Systems

UTAC is a market-leading international group in digital and sustainable mobility, offering testing solutions, vehicle engineering, regulatory expertise, certification, training, and related services. The group operates test centres and laboratories in multiple countries and employs around 1300 people. UTAC’s core values are Expertise, Innovation and Integrity.

Overview: UTAC is seeking 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 related to SLED and 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, while complying with OH&S requirements.
• Lead workload planning, scheduling and resource allocation for the SLED and safety systems test team.
• Maintain regular liaison with customers and witnessing test authorities to align lab requirements and foster professional relationships.
• Act as primary escalation point 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 for the team and conduct regular reviews to ensure performance.
• Maintain an updated skills matrix and training plan with traceable records.
• Coordinate with finance to ensure timely monthly invoicing for services.
• Deliver annual revenue targets while meeting budgetary targets.
• Collaborate with the chief engineer on new business enquiries, technical projects, ISO17025 scope expansion and resolution of findings via lessons learned.
• Maintain internal quality standards and external ISO accreditations (including ISO 17025).
• Support capital expenditure needs and draft supporting business cases.
• Support commercial and business development activities for passive safety; represent UTAC in passive safety groups as required.
• Monitor future regulatory changes and passive safety trends to inform investment plans.
• Manage assets and regular stock checks of test instruments.
• Collaborate with the Crash & Safety Systems Principal Engineer to deliver department targets; manage day-to-day projects and programmes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and maintain the SQCDP framework.
• Demonstrate UTAC core values of Innovation, Integrity and Expertise in all activities.

Qualifications

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

Experience

• Safety testing experience to European/Federal/Global regulations and consumer test protocols (Automotive or Aerospace) is essential.
• Proven test team leadership experience is essential.
• Ability to manage challenging customer-facing situations and work extended hours when required.
• Experience with large complex engineering data and analyses is essential.
• Experience using 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 such as Messring, DTS, HBM, Kissler, etc. is essential.
• Knowledge of quality standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 17025 is advantageous.

Skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Mechanical, instrumentation and electrical knowledge related to vehicle safety testing.
• Strong engineering fundamentals and problem-solving abilities.
• Understanding of human injury levels and ATD instrumentation limitations.
• Programme and project management across multiple stakeholders and assets.
• Data analysis skills (e.g., Diadem, X-Crash, Cam2Measure) and high-speed data/video analysis capabilities.
• Ability to draft and interpret complex technical documentation.
• Process improvement capabilities and strong communication skills (oral and written).
• IT proficiency and CAD skills (CATIA, SolidWorks or similar) are advantageous.

Personal Behaviours

• Lead by example with integrity and high motivation; willing to train others and support development.
• Independent work style with ability to collaborate across teams; proactive with initiative.
• Thrives in a high-pressure environment with tight deadlines and delivers right first time.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to learn and grow.
• Flexible, adaptable and highly customer-focused; maintains confidentiality.

Other Information

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

Location notes: Stevenage, Ampthill and surrounding UK sites may be involved.