Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer to develop designs for the Vehicle Control solution for advanced systems. This role involves collaboration with stakeholders and guiding engineering processes. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and competitive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Potential annual incentives

Qualifications

• Experience in developing C&I designs for large-scale systems.
• Proficiency in managing EMC and shock compliance.
• Understanding of control system architecture and communication protocols.

Responsibilities

• Develop a functional design for the Vehicle Control solution.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to oversee delivery of the vehicle control solution.
• Guide on engineering methods/processes to deliver the plan.

Skills

C&I design development

Managing non-functional requirements

Design document authoring

Education

Degree in Engineering, Physics, Maths or Science

Job description

Job Description

Job title: Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer

Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Filton or Manchester (minimum 2 days on site per fortnight). We offer hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about options for this role.

Salary: Negotiable depending on experience

What you’ll be doing:

1. Develop a functional design for the Vehicle Control solution for SSNA.
2. Work with stakeholders to oversee the delivery of the vehicle control solution and strategy.
3. Collaborate with the Office of the Chief Engineer to support assurance activities.
4. Work with the engineering manager to deliver the vehicle control system, providing progress reports through agile toolsets.
5. Ensure delivery of the engineering plan on schedule.
6. Guide and instruct on engineering methods/processes to deliver the plan.
7. Develop technical solutions with the Engineering Delivery Team, nurturing team members’ development.
8. Engage with legacy stakeholders in developing solutions from known baselines.

Your skills and experience:

Essential:

• Experience in developing C&I designs for large-scale systems, meeting functional, defence, and industrial standards.
• Experience managing non-functional requirements such as EMC and shock compliance.
• Proficiency in authoring/reviewing design documents (I/O schedules, design specs, interface control documents).

Desirable:

• Degree or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Maths, or Science.
• Understanding of control system architecture and communication protocols (e.g., RS-485, PROFIBUS).
• Experience with IEC 61508 – Functional Safety and supporting safety claims.
• Experience with manoeuvring systems across industries.

Benefits:

Competitive pension, employee share plans, flexible health and lifestyle benefits, green car scheme, private health plans, shopping discounts, and potential annual incentives.

The Platform Complex Systems team:

Contribute to designing the Royal Navy’s next attack class submarine, integrating legacy and new control technologies, collaborating with colleagues, stakeholders, suppliers, and the Royal Navy. Relocation support available for eligible roles.

Why BAE Systems?

Make a real difference in an inclusive culture that values integrity and merit. We welcome diverse backgrounds and support inclusive recruitment. If you have a condition affecting assessment performance, discuss reasonable adjustments with your recruiter. Note that many roles are subject to security and export control restrictions, requiring security vetting and sometimes a history of UK residence.

Closing Date: 30th May 2025. Early application recommended as we may close early if sufficient applications are received.