Principal Engineer – Electrical Engineering (Control & Instrumentation)

BAE Systems; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Principal C&I Engineer to develop safety-informed designs for next-generation submarines. This role involves ensuring compliance with safety standards, collaborating with multiple stakeholders, and mentoring a diverse engineering team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in functional safety and complex systems integration. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered, including flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Private health plans

Qualifications

• Proven background in IEC 61508, producing supporting evidence for safety claims.
• Developed complex C&I designs for large-scale systems.
• Managed non-functional requirements aligned with compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to safety-informed approach for C&I design.
• Ensure assurance of key safety artefacts for the C&I design.
• Collaborate with safety teams for alignment on safety matters.

Skills

IEC 61508 – Functional Safety

Complex C&I designs

EMC and shock management

Design documents authoring

Control system architecture understanding

Education

Degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Science

Job description

Job Title: Principal C&I Engineer – Assurance

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:

• Contribute to the development of a safety-informed approach for C&I design on next-generation nuclear submarines
• Ensure assurance of key safety artefacts for the C&I design, including requirements elicitation and electrical schematics
• Collaborate closely with safety teams across the submarines enterprise to reach alignment on safety-related matters
• Provide oversight for the delivery of the vehicle control solution and the supporting control strategy, managing complex stakeholder relationships
• Coordinate with the engineering manager to support the delivery of C&I systems, reporting progress using agile toolsets
• Drive the execution of the engineering delivery plan, ensuring alignment with project schedules
• Offer guidance on engineering methods and processes to support successful delivery of the plan
• Mentor and support the Engineering Delivery Team, working with a range of SQEP levels to develop technical solutions and foster team growth
• Liaise with legacy stakeholders to evolve a technical solution based on an established baseline design

Your skills and experiences:

Essential

• Proven background in IEC 61508 – Functional Safety (or similar), including producing supporting evidence to substantiate safety claims
• Developed complex C&I designs for large-scale systems, ensuring compliance with functional, defence, and industrial standards
• Managed non-functional requirements such as EMC and shock, aligning with industrial compliance standards
• Skilled in authoring and reviewing key design documents 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 subject such as Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Science

Desirable:

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

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 is a team ranging from engineers, designers and supporting functions with a range of experiences from graduates through to principal engineers.

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 are an Equal Opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Closing Date: 15th October 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.