Principal Engineer – Electrical Engineering (Control & Instrumentation)

BAE Systems; Dalton-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Principal C&I Engineer to support the design development for the Royal Navy’s submarines. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the nuclear sector and experience with safety-critical systems. Responsibilities include developing technical interfaces and collaborating with stakeholders. A degree in a relevant STEM field is required. Competitive benefits and hybrid work options are offered.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits

Qualifications

• Background in the nuclear sector, with hands-on experience in safety-critical environments.
• Designed large-scale C&I systems, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Authored and reviewed key design documentation.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of nuclear C&I design for SSNA.
• Work with stakeholders to deliver vehicle control solutions.
• Collaborate with engineering manager for Primary Propulsion C&I system.

Skills

Nuclear sector experience

C&I systems design

Safety-critical environments experience

Compliance with industrial standards

Documentation skills

Education

Degree-level qualification in relevant STEM field

Tools

Control system architecture understanding

Knowledge of communication protocols

Job description

Job Title: Principal C&I Engineer – Nuclear

Location: Barrow-In-Furness (2 days minimum on site per fortnight). We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Negotiable depending on experience

What you’ll be doing:

• Support the development of the nuclear C&I design for SSNA

• Develop the technical and programmatic interfaces between BAES and third parties

• Work with a complex relationship of stakeholders to provide oversight in the delivery of the vehicle control solution, and the supporting vehicle control strategy

• Collaborate with the engineering manager in the delivery of the Primary Propulsion C&I system, reporting suitable progress through agile toolsets

• Deliver the response to the engineering delivery plan, ensuring that the plan is delivered to schedule

• Provide guidance and instruction on the engineering methods/process to deliver the engineering delivery plan

• Work with the Engineering Delivery Team with varying levels of SQEP to develop technical solutions, developing the team members and nurturing their development

• Engage with legacy stakeholders in the development of a technical solution from a known baseline design

Your skills and experiences:

Essential

• Background in the nuclear sector, with hands-on experience in safety-critical environments

• Designed large-scale C&I systems, ensuring compliance with functional, defence, and industrial standards

• Managed non-functional requirements such as EMC and shock, meeting stringent industrial compliance criteria

• Authored and reviewed key design documentation, including I/O schedules, functional design specifications, functional chronicles, and interface control documents

• Holds a degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant STEM field such as Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Science

Desirable:

• Understanding of control system architecture and communication protocols (i.e. RS-485, PROFIBUS)

• History in IEC 61508 – Functional Safety (or similar) and production of supporting evidence to substantiate safety claims

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 Platform Complex Systems – C&I Embed team:

You will be working with a multitude of stakeholders to develop the design of the C&I for the Royal Navy’s next generation attack class submarine. The Platform Complex Systems team a team ranging from engineers, designers and supporting functions with a range of experiences from graduates through to principal engineers. The Platform Complex Systems team is responsible for the delivery of 28+ C&I and Internal Communication Systems plus are responsible for the technical co-ordination and delivery of over 80+ C&I systems. 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: 21st August 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.

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