Lead Mechanical Engineer

BAE Systems - UK; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Lead Principal Engineer for its submarine program. This role involves leading engineering efforts, managing multiple systems, and mentoring engineers. Candidates should have a proven track record in complex mechanical engineering, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines. Benefits include competitive pension schemes and health plans, with relocation support available.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering complex mechanical engineering tasks.
• Experience in mentoring or coaching engineers.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across various functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of assigned engineering scope.
• Oversee technical ownership of mechanical systems.
• Produce engineering artifacts and manage task allocation.

Skills

Leadership in engineering

Mentoring engineers

Excellent communication skills

Collaboration across disciplines

Familiarity with Jira and Confluence

Education

STEM-related degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Responsibilities

As a Lead Principal Engineer within the SSNA Platform Mechanical Integrated Delivery Team (IDT), you will play a key leadership role in delivering engineering scope across a complex and fast-paced submarine programme. You’ll take ownership of multiple systems, provide technical assurance, and collaborate across disciplines to drive delivery forward.

• Leading the delivery of assigned engineering scope, ensuring quality and timely outputs across design, integration, and qualification
• Overseeing technical ownership of several mechanical systems, ensuring compliance with system requirements and effective collaboration across interface areas
• Producing engineering artifacts, including documentation, calculations and performing simulation/analysis.
• Managing task allocation and progress tracking through structured tools (Jira/Confluence), ensuring alignment with programme milestones, cost, and schedule expectations
• Coaching and supporting engineers at all levels — from graduates to senior professionals — to grow technical capability and confidence
• Working closely with peers, suppliers, and wider functional stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain delivery momentum
• Reviewing technical documentation, supporting hazard assessments, and managing change control with sound engineering judgement
• Proactively identifying and addressing shortfalls in delivery, documentation or process — embedding a culture of openness, improvement, and accountability

Qualifications

Your skills and experiences:
We"re looking for someone who can confidently lead engineering work packages while mentoring others and contributing to a collaborative delivery culture. You should have:

• A proven track record of delivering complex mechanical or multi-disciplinary engineering tasks in a regulated environment
• Experience mentoring or coaching engineers to support technical and professional growth
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to lead conversations, challenge constructively, and build strong working relationships
• The ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, project, safety, ILS and supply chain functions
• Familiarity with task and documentation management tools such as Jira and Confluence
• Working toward or already professionally registered (CEng strongly preferred)
• A STEM-related degree (or equivalent experience) with strong foundations in systems thinking and platform-level integration

Benefits

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.

The Platform Mechanical team

You’ll join the Platform Mechanical Integrated Delivery Team — a dynamic, collaborative engineering group working at the forefront of submarine platform development. The team brings together engineers from across disciplines, career levels, and partner organisations to deliver critical mechanical capability. Through close engagement with suppliers, systems engineers, and programme stakeholders, you’ll play a central role in shaping high-integrity technical solutions, supporting team development, and ensuring delivery remains aligned with the wider programme plan and budget. We have multiple roles available & will be offering positions within the following disciplines; Air Purification & Atmosphere Monitoring, Trim & Compensation, Hydraulics, Air Movement & HVAC, and Cooling. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

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.

Closing Date: 15th October 2025