Principal Engineer - Combat Systems Engineering

BAE Systems; Frimley; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company is seeking a Principal Engineer for Combat Systems Engineering in Frimley. This role involves defining ECS designs, supporting contractual requirements, and providing technical support during performance activities. Candidates should have a STEM-related degree, knowledge in wireless communication systems, and good communication skills. The position offers a range of flexible working arrangements and competitive benefits, in addition to an inclusive culture supporting diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in maritime, defence, or telecommunications domains.
• Strong understanding of the engineering lifecycle.
• Experience in system design and integration.

Responsibilities

• Define ECS design through engineering principles.
• Support contractual performance requirements.
• Provide technical support to performance activities.

Skills

Knowledge of wireless communication systems

Good communication skills

Product safety awareness

Stakeholder interaction

Education

STEM-related degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Description - Principal Engineer - Combat Systems Engineering (External Communications) (00133638)

Principal Engineer - Combat Systems Engineering (External Communications) - 00133638

Job Title:

Principal Engineer - Combat Systems (External Communications)

Location:

Frimley- we offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

What you’ll be doing:

• Define and develop the ECS design through systems engineering principles , including; architecture, requirements, concept solutions and interfaces to enable the development and production of the component sub-systems
• Understand the contractual and performance requirements for communication products and sub-systems, and support the definition and associated acceptance criteria and events through design, build, integration, installation and commissioning activities
• Understand and support the flow-down of requirements to suppliers and acceptance of their specific deliverables, ensuring it is captured and recorded appropriately
• Support the EM and PM in supporting bids, proposal development and project planning activities
• Provide technical support to integrated performance and acceptance activities, including acceptance of equipment from suppliers through to system acceptance by the customer
• Support the documentation of domain knowledge and pass on information and expertise to help grow the knowledge base within appropriate business teams

Your skills and experiences:

• Knowledge and experience in wireless communication systems and products in the maritime, defence and/or commercial domains and an understanding of how such systems are used and interact with the overall build programme
• STEM-related degree or equivalent experience within the aerospace/defence/telecommunications/marine environment
• Knowledge of the complete engineering lifecycle with experience in operating in a number of the key lifecycle phases including requirements/system design, and integration and acceptance
• Have a strong awareness of product safety and SHE
• Good communication skills and be able to present and interact with a variety of different stakeholders

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 ECS Team

The ECS team primarily focuses on designing, developing, and integrating the communications system on-board submarine platforms. As part of this growing team, you'll explore innovative technologies and integrate them into cutting-edge designs. 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.

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.

Closing Date:

10th February 2026

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.