Principal Verification & Validation (V&V) Engineer

Location: South-West London (Hybrid working available)

Salary Range: -45,000 - -70,000

UK Citizenship: Required

Overview:

A leading organisation in the defence and national security sector is seeking a Principal V&V Engineer to support the planning, execution, and reporting of verification and validation (V&V) activities. This role is integral to ensuring the compliance of complex hardware and software systems with defined requirements across the full engineering lifecycle.

You will be working in a multi-disciplinary environment, contributing to the delivery of sovereign defence systems that are critical to national operations. The position involves collaboration across engineering functions and offers the opportunity to influence both technical direction and process improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and documentation of V&V work packages.
• Promote and apply industry best practices in V&V engineering in line with corporate, defence, and regulatory standards.
• Oversee and guide the output of junior V&V engineers as part of project delivery teams.
• Produce and review key project documentation, including management plans, estimates, metrics, and risk assessments.
• Contribute to project reviews, integration and test activities, fault investigation, and resolution reporting.
• Implement project security measures related to V&V activities and ensure compliance with required protocols.

Candidate Profile:

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree, HND/HNC, or equivalent experience in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Control Systems, or a related field.
• Familiarity with defence, aerospace, or similarly regulated industry standards.
• Proficiency in using requirements and test management tools such as IBM DOORS.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.

Desirable:

• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching junior engineers.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Capability to adapt and operate effectively in dynamic, multidisciplinary teams.

Benefits:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, including optional compressed working weeks.
• Private healthcare and wellness support.
• Generous pension scheme and performance-related bonus.
• Comprehensive professional development opportunities.

About the Team:

The successful candidate will join a growing team of V&V engineers supporting the development and assurance of high-integrity systems. The team operates in close collaboration with systems, software, and integration teams, promoting an evidence-based approach to capability verification. This role offers the chance to work on meaningful and technically challenging projects with national significance.