Principal Engineer - Combat Systems (External Communications)

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

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Principal Engineer for Combat Systems focused on External Communications. The role involves capturing technical requirements, supporting integration activities and ensuring compliance with contractual requirements. Candidates should have knowledge of external communications systems in the maritime domain and possess strong communication skills to engage with stakeholders effectively. This position includes benefits such as a competitive pension scheme and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Knowledge of maritime defence domain communications systems.
• Experience in operational, build, or support environments.
• Ability to engage with different stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Capture and agree on technical requirements.
• Review technical solutions for compliance.
• Provide technical support for integration activities.

Skills

Knowledge of external communications systems

Good communication skills

Awareness of Product Safety and SHE

Understanding of the complete engineering lifecycle

Job description

Principal Engineer - Combat Systems (External Communications) - 00132848

Job Title: Combat Systems Engineer – External Communications

Location: Frimley, Filton, Portsmouth Broad Oak or Weymouth. 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:

• Capturing and agreeing technical requirements in accordance with company and programme processes
• Reviewing technical solutions against contractual requirements and regulations for compliance
• 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

Your skills and experiences:

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

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.

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: 5th January 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.