Principal Engineer - Mechanical Engineering (Platform Systems)

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

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Barrow-in-Furness seeks a Principal Mechanical Platform Systems Engineer to oversee engineering activities, engage with suppliers, and ensure compliance with contractual obligations. The role requires a strong background in mechanical systems and relevant qualifications, offering hybrid work options and extensive employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Flexible discounted health benefits

Employee share plans

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering mechanical systems across the full engineering development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and successfully drive performance enhancements.
• Strong technical knowledge in specifying a range of mechanical equipment and components.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day engineering activities to ensure on-time delivery.
• Serve as the primary engineering interface for external customers.
• Provide expert technical support to resolve engineering challenges.

Skills

Delivering mechanical systems across full development lifecycle

Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement

Specifying mechanical equipment and components

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant STEM discipline

Chartered Engineer status or working towards it

Tools

Mechanical equipment and components

Job description

Job title

Principal Mechanical Platform Systems Engineer - Components

Location

Barrow-in-Furness, Filton or Broad Oak. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this role

Salary

Competitive

Overview

What you’ll be doing:

• Oversee day-to-day engineering activities to ensure on-time delivery and adherence to cost targets
• Serve as the primary engineering interface for external customers and suppliers, fostering strong technical collaboration and communication
• Provide expert technical support and innovative solutions to resolve engineering challenges related to mechanical products
• Contribute technical guidance and engineering input to support suppliers queries, build and test activities, defect resolution, and change management processes
• Define, develop and manage requirements and acceptance criteria for mechanical products integrated within complex platforms, systems, or programmes
• Interpret and apply contractual and performance requirements throughout the product lifecycle including design, manufacture, integration, installation, and commissioning phases
• Ensure all work is compliant with contractual obligations and conducted in accordance with company policies, safety standards, environmental regulations, and established procedures
• Review, assess, and manage relevant supplier documentation, ensuring accurate capture, traceability, and appropriate storage within the project framework

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering mechanical systems across the full engineering development lifecycle
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and successfully drive performance enhancements
• Strong technical knowledge and hands-on experience in specifying a range of mechanical equipment and components, such as heat exchangers, pumps, diesel generators, hydraulic systems, and compressors
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (BEng/MEng or equivalent) in a relevant STEM discipline
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards chartered status with a recognised professional engineering institution

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 Components Team

As the Principal Mechanical Platform Systems Engineer, you will be joining a dynamic Components Team with BAE Systems, where you will play a key role in delivering cutting edge mechanical products used across major systems and programmes supporting the Royal Navy. As part of an innovative and forward-thinking engineering team, you will contribute to high-impact defence projects while expanding you own professional development. This is a unique opportunity to influence critical programme delivery, provide expert technical support and drive continuous performance improvements across the business. We offer relocation support across all Submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you will 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 leave 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending in the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

10 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.

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When applying for this role you will be redirected to BAE systems careers site where you will be required to:

• Register an account (this is optional, you can apply as a guest)
• Provide contact information
• Upload your cv
• Complete a short diversity & inclusion questionnaire

When asked source type, please select "job board advertisement" then "the IET / E+T Jobs"