Principal Quality Test Engineer (Hardware)

Key areas of responsibility

• 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.  

• 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.  

• 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.  

• 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

• 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. 

• 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 Rowden's Bristol HQ at least three days per week, except where customer commitments require additional time. 

Working at Rowden