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# Systems Test & Trials Lead

- **Company:** All Locations
- **Location:** St Neots, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** £45,000.0 - £58,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Microsoft Excel, Systems Engineering, Confluence, JIRA, Computer Networks, Document Management Systems, RAID, Network Interface Controllers, Microsoft Project, Computer Networking Systems, Git, Software Version Control
- **Published:** July 14, 2026
- **Apply:** https://careers.mass.co.uk/vacancies/780/senior-systems-test--trials-lead.html

## About the Role

+ Proven experience coordinating test and trials activity, including planning, scheduling, and managing dependencies in a laboratory or representative system environment.
 + Strong engineering approach: able to create and maintain clear plans, procedures and checklists, and drive work to completion through good preparation and follow-through.
 + Strong delivery governance skills: able to track and manage risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies (RAID), escalate appropriately, and keep stakeholders aligned.
 + Comfortable working with multi-disciplinary engineering teams (hardware/software/networks) and coordinating across interfaces without needing to be the deepest technical expert.
 + Some exposure to the Electronic Warfare (EW) domain (through industry, military, or adjacent programmes) to understand terminology, context and stakeholder priorities.
 + Strong organisation and documentation skills: producing and maintaining plans, minutes/actions, procedures, controlled configuration baseline, and evidence packs; able to communicate clearly with customers and stakeholders.
Desirable:

 + Experience using planning and delivery tools (e.g. MS Project, Jira/Confluence, Excel trackers) to manage schedules, actions and dependencies.
 + Working knowledge of systems engineering and test governance (e.g. acceptance criteria, V&V planning, interface control notes, readiness reviews).
 + Experience developing repeatable procedures, checklists and safe systems of work, including running readiness reviews and lessons learned sessions.
 + Experience with configuration and document control (e.g. version control such as Git or controlled document repositories) and maintaining a controlled configuration baseline.
 + Understanding of computer networking and networked systems (enough to plan activities, ask the right questions, and coordinate subject matter experts (SMEs) when required).
 + Experience working in an agile delivery environment and coordinating work across multiple stakeholders.
 + Broader EW domain experience (e.g. threat/mission context, sensor/effector integration, or EW test & evaluation) and an understanding of how effects can be represented and assessed.
 + Experience coordinating external/internal contributors (e.g. suppliers, facilities, security, IT) to enable delivery of test and trials activity.
 + STEM degree (or equivalent experience) with strong practical engineering mindset.
Wellbeing is at the core to our culture, allowing employees to flourish and to achieve their full potential. Our people are important to us, and we take pride in our wellbeing programmes and policies that support individuals including, mental health first aiders and readily available support through our extensive employee assistance programme.
Our Non-negotiables:
Due to the highly secure nature of the projects that you will be involved with, you must be:

 + A UK National and eligible to work in the UK
 + Eligible to obtain and maintain a UK Government SC-level security clearance

## Description

You will coordinate the practical planning and control of test and trials activity: building schedules, coordinating dependencies, managing readiness of assets and facilities, and ensuring the right people, equipment, access, data and documentation are in place at the right time.
You will allocate work across the team, remove blockers, and maintain a controlled configuration baseline (plans, procedures, versions/configuration items) to support change control and keep delivery on track.
You will coordinate laboratory-based test and trials activity, leading the team through preparation, execution and post-activity reporting. You will manage risks/issues/dependencies, ensure work is carried out safely and consistently, and ensure results are captured and reported clearly to enable timely customer decisions.
As the team's line manager, you will support capability development through coaching and regular 1:1s, set clear objectives, manage performance, and create an inclusive environment where people can do their best work.
Working with a high degree of autonomy, you will be key to the success of major projects, while being supported by our on-site MASS teams (in-house specialist engineering and support teams). Working alongside the Principal Test & Trials Engineer, you will help ensure test and trials delivery is aligned with agreed engineering standards and priorities. You will work closely with customers and internal stakeholders to shape delivery plans, agree acceptance criteria, and keep test and trials activity progressing through clear communication, robust engineering process and disciplined documentation. Familiarity with the Electronic Warfare (EW) domain is valuable to help you understand context and priorities, but this role is not primarily about deep technical specialism.
The invaluable experience you'll bring, to help us achieve more.
Essential:

 + Line management experience, with the ability to support, motivate and develop engineers through clear objectives, coaching and regular feedback.


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