Principal Engineer - Systems Engineering (Architecture)

BAE Systems; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to direct design reviews and lead a team in Combat System development. The ideal candidate will have extensive systems engineering experience, particularly in MBSE, and a solid understanding of the engineering lifecycle. This role includes competitive benefits and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Clear understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle.
• Extensive experience within Systems Engineering (e.g. MBSE).
• Led or participated in Design reviews and Technical Gate Reviews.

Responsibilities

• Direct design reviews and technical gate reviews for Combat System architecture development.
• Lead a team of system engineers responsible for design and development.
• Engage with key stakeholders across the business and the MoD.

Skills

Understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle

Experience leading teams to deliver projects

Experience within Systems Engineering (e.g. MBSE)

Tools

DOORS

Jira

Confluence

Enterprise Architecture

Job description

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer

Location: Frimley, Filton, Weymouth, Broad Oak and Coventry – We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Negotiable dependent on experience

What you’ll be doing:

• Direct design reviews and technical gate reviews for our Combat System architecture development including requirements development, verification and validation strategies and systems engineering across the engineering function.
• Lead a team of system engineers who will be responsible for the design and development of Combat System equipment and systems within the business area.
• Engage with key and Senior stakeholders across the business and the MoD.
• Manage the Engineering Lifecycle of systems, equipment and processes by working with DOORS and model‑based systems engineering.

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Clear understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle.
• Led or participated in Design reviews and Technical Gate Reviews.
• Extensive experience within Systems Engineering (e.g. MBSE).
• Experience leading teams to deliver projects.

Desirable:

• Previous experience using DOORS, Jira, Confluence, Enterprise Architecture.
• Understanding of engineering governance processes and strategies.

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 Engineering Function:

Within this team, you will support how BAE Systems executes the engineering activities across the wider business and the programmes BAE Systems is required to deliver. You will be regularly engaging with a variety of internal Business Functions and Stakeholders, as well as external MoD Stakeholders. This role will offer career progression and development for the right individuals looking to progress and lead engineering teams and make a business wide contribution.

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 30th August 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.

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