Lead Mechanical Engineer – Air Purification Systems

BAE Systems - Saudi Arabia; Barrow-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Barrow-in-Furness is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to design advanced Air Purification and Atmosphere Monitoring systems for submarines. The ideal candidate will have experience in safety-critical environments, demonstrated leadership skills, and a strong background in environmental control systems. This role offers hybrid working arrangements and a competitive benefits package, including a pension scheme and health benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience in complex, safety-critical environments.
• Proven capability from concept to commissioning.
• Leadership through technical direction or project ownership.

Responsibilities

• Design Air Purification systems for submarines.
• Undertake functional design activities and analysis.
• Produce documentation and safety justifications.
• Engage with stakeholders and drive engineering governance.

Skills

Design of gas scrubbing and filtration systems

System lifecycle delivery

Demonstrated leadership

Chartered engineer or working towards accreditation

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer – Air Purification Systems

Location: Barrow-in-Furness – hybrid and flexible working arrangements available.

Salary: Competitive

What you’ll be doing:

• Design of Air Purification and Atmosphere Monitoring 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
• Engage with stakeholders across the cross‑functional project team
• Drive engineering governance through peer reviews and design reviews

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Experience in the design of gas scrubbing, filtration, and environmental control systems (e.g. CO₂ removal, O₂ generation, trace contaminant management, radiological hazards) – ideally in complex, safety‑critical environments (maritime, aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas and sub‑sea)
• 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 integrating purification systems with submarine life‑support, HVAC, and emergency protocols

Benefits:

Competitive pension scheme, employee share plans, 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 team:

As a Lead Mechanical Engineer - Air Purification Systems, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of submarine Air Purification and Atmosphere Monitoring systems. This includes system‑level design, technical leadership, supplier engagement, and the opportunity to steer design architecture across a major submarine programme. Relocation support packages are offered across all Submarines roles, subject to 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 that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions. Eligibility depends on nationality, place of birth and other factors. All applicants must at a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Some roles require higher levels of National Security Vetting, typically requiring 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK.

Closing Date:

28th November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.