Principal Engineer – Stealth (Finite Element Analysis)

BAE Systems; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Principal Engineer - Stealth (Finite Element Analysis) to enhance stealth engineering capabilities. You will lead FEA simulations to assess structural behavior on next-generation submarines and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with safety and performance standards. Essential qualifications include a degree in engineering and experience with FEA software. This role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits in an inclusive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience with FEA software.
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the Stealth Engineering FEA capability.
• Perform detailed FEA simulations.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Experience with FEA software (such as ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL)

Strong understanding of structural mechanics

Ability to interpret results and communicate findings

Methodical approach and attention to detail

Programming or scripting skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB)

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related STEM discipline

Job description

Job Title: Principal Engineer - Stealth (Finite Element Analysis)

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (Onsite)

Salary: Competitive (Commensurate with skills and experience)

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the development of the Stealth Engineering FEA capability.
• Perform detailed FEA simulations to assess structural behaviour and its effect on stealth-related performance.
• Analyse structure-borne vibration and fluid-borne noise characteristics across components and systems.
• Prepare clear technical reports and present findings to design teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure that stealth, structural, and safety requirements are fully met.
• Assist in model validation, correlation with physical tests, and refinement of analysis techniques.

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
• Experience with FEA software (such as ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, or similar).
• Strong understanding of structural mechanics and finite element principles.
• Ability to interpret results and communicate complex findings in a clear, concise way.
• A methodical approach and attention to detail.

Desirable:

• Experience working in defence, naval architecture, or highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with dynamic, thermal, or coupled analyses.
• Knowledge of stealth or signature control technologies.
• Programming or scripting skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB) to support modelling automation.
• Experience with high-performance computing environments.

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 Stealth Numerical Modelling Team

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Principal Engineer - Stealth (Finite Element Analysis (FEA)), working within The Stealth Numerical Modelling Team. You will be joining our Stealth Engineering Department as a Principal Stealth Engineer – Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and play a key role in the structural design and stealth performance of the UK’s next‑generation submarines. You’ll work as part of a small, high‑impact team, helping reduce signatures through advanced simulation and analysis, supporting executive engineers in defining and delivering the whole boat signature requirements and in service signature goals.

In this role the Principal Engineer shall provide technical leadership and oversight to less senior engineers, providing resourcing and advice on tasks. This is an ideal role for an engineer with a passion for solving complex structural problems, using simulation tools to influence real‑world designs. You’ll work across multiple submarine programmes and engage with a wide network of specialists across the department, the MoD, and partner organisations.

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 December 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.

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

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

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