Principal Engineer - Combat Systems (External Communications)

BAE Systems; Hurn; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor in the UK seeks a professional to join the External Communications Systems Team. The role involves capturing technical requirements, providing specialist support for installation, and collaborating effectively with stakeholders. Candidates should possess knowledge of maritime communication systems and relevant operational experience. The company offers generous benefits, including a competitive pension scheme and various lifestyle benefits, fostering an inclusive culture for all employees.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Flexible discounted health benefits

Employee share plans

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in maritime defence domain with external communications systems.
• Operational knowledge of Combat Systems and customer interactions.
• Awareness of Product Safety and SHE regulations.

Responsibilities

• Capture and agree on technical requirements according to company processes.
• Review technical solutions for compliance with contractual requirements.
• Provide technical support during installation and commissioning activities.

Skills

Knowledge of communication systems

Good communication skills

Understanding of engineering lifecycle

Job description

Responsibilities

• Capturing and agreeing technical requirements in accordance with company and programme processes
• Reviewing technical solutions against contractual requirements and regulations for compliancy
• Design documentation generated, captured, configured and controlled in accordance with company processes
• Design change requirements and documentation generated, captured, configured and controlled in accordance with company processes
• Captured and agreed input to appropriate Verification Cross‑Reference Index (VCRI), Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance Plans (ITEAP) and Qualification Plans
• Understand and interpret the User Needs, Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Concept of Use (CONUSE) and be able to derive the technical and functional requirements for specific external communications systems
• Ensure design proving evidence is comprehensive, captured within the requirements management tools (IBM DOORS) and has been endorsed by the appropriate level of authority
• Understand the contractual and performance requirements for external communications systems and support the definition and associated acceptance criteria and events through design, build, integration, installation and commissioning LCM process using CADMID
• Understand and support the flow‑down of requirements to suppliers and acceptance of their specific deliverables, ensuring it is captured and recorded appropriately
• Provide specialist technical support to shipbuilder installation, integration activities and commissioning activities (included in‑service refitting authorities)
• Provide technical support to integrated performance and acceptance activities, including acceptance of equipment from suppliers through to system acceptance by the customer

Qualifications

• Knowledge of external (over‑the‑air) communications systems in the maritime defence domain and a comprehensive understanding of how such systems and associated activities interact with the overall platform (knowledge of the whole radio‑frequency spectrum, Data/Voice Communications and Systems Network Architecture)
• Platform and ideally sea experience in an operational, build, trials or in‑service support environment to have gained an understanding of the operational needs and requirements of a Combat System, and to help be credible with the Customer and User
• Have good awareness of Product Safety and SHE
• Good communication skills and be able to interact with stakeholders

Desirable

• Knowledge of the complete engineering lifecycle with some experience of operating in a number of phases of the Engineering Lifecycle

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 ECS (External Communications Systems) Team

You will be joining a tight‑knit and diverse team who are always looking to share their knowledge/expertise in this area. Challenges are met as a team, and this is an opportunity to both showcase your ability to engage with stakeholders and your collaborative skills.

This role will have you leading areas such as Requirements Management and Testing & Integration of equipment into wider systems across Submarines. This will give you exposure to a range of suppliers & customers. 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.