Firefighting/SMERAS Systems Engineer

BAE Systems; Grange-Over-Sands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm in the UK seeks a candidate to design firefighting and rescue systems for next-generation Royal Navy submarines. Responsibilities include producing design documentation, engaging with project teams, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Applicants should have experience in safety-critical environments and be either chartered engineers or working towards accreditation. This role offers competitive compensation and a range of flexible benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in the design of complex, safety-critical environments.
• Proven capability in system lifecycle delivery from concept to commissioning.
• Engaging with stakeholders across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design systems for the next generation Royal Navy submarines.
• Produce design documentation and safety justifications.
• Support specification qualification and procurement of components.

Skills

Design of Firefighting systems

Modelling and analysis

Functional design activities

Leadership and mentoring

Experience in high-pressure systems

Knowledge of safety-critical environments

Education

Chartered engineer or working towards accreditation

Job description

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Design of Firefighting, and/or Submarine Escape, Rescue, Abandonment, and Survival (SMERAS) systems, sub-systems and equipment for the next generation Royal Navy submarines
• Undertake functional design activities, modelling and analysis
• Produce design documentation, Verification & Validation evidence and safety justifications
• Support specification qualification and procurement of components, working collaboratively with suppliers
• Engaging with stakeholders across the cross‑functional project team
• Driving engineering governance through peer reviews and design reviews
• Experience in the design of fixed firefighting systems - ideally in complex, safety‑critical environments (eg maritime, aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas and sub‑sea)
• Familiarity with systems and equipment involving firefighting hose reels/nozzles, pumps, water mist systems, Aqueous Film Forming Foam, etc.
• Experience in high‑pressure systems, or life‑support technologies
• Proven capability in system lifecycle delivery - from concept through to commissioning
• Demonstrated leadership - either through technical direction, mentoring, or project ownership
• Chartered engineer or working towards professional accreditation

Desirable

• Knowledge of platform‑level constraints such as noise, shock, or survivability
• Previous experience with Submarine Escape, Rescue, Abandonment, and Survival (SMERAS) systems, hyperbaric chambers/sub‑sea pressure environments

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Salary: Competitive, As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.