Principal Manufacturing Engineer

BAE Systems.; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Barrow-in-Furness seeks a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to lead a skilled team in enhancing manufacturing methods. Candidates should have relevant engineering degrees, a track record of project delivery, and strong leadership skills. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and a competitive benefits package including relocation support and flexible benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible benefits including health and wellbeing programs

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status (CEng/IEng) is desirable.
• Experience in delivering results on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a team to meet business objectives.
• Oversee project delivery, managing schedules and budgets.
• Act as technical lead and support audits and resource planning.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Engineering software proficiency

Education

Relevant degree

HNC with significant Manufacturing experience

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the future of manufacturing within a highly complex, cutting-edge engineering environment. As a Principal Manufacturing Engineering - Function, you'll head up a skilled team delivering cross-discipline projects that directly impact the build performance of world-class products. You'll drive the development and implantation of manufacturing methods that meet the highest standards of safety, quality, cost, and delivery across the full product lifecycle. With significant scope to influence operations, manage resources, and ensure alignment between engineering design and manufacturing execution, this role offers both strategic impact and professional growth in a dynamic and critical area of the business. We offer relocation support across all Submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a team, ensuring delivery against business objectives, including training, development, and support toward professional accreditation (CEng/Ieng/EngTech).
• Provide expert technical guidance, leveraging product/process knowledge and innovation to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Oversee project delivery, managing schedules, budgets, performance, configuration control, and governance prior to release.
• Chair technical meetings and reviews, ensuring alignment with Manufacturing Engineering deliverables and quality standards.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, applying agreed tools and systems (e.g. Life Cycle Management, production tools) to meet project goals.
• Act as technical lead and signatory, supporting audits, peer reviews, resource planning, and technology business cases.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree with some industry experience, or HNC with significant Manufacturing experience.
• Strong track record of delivering results on time and within budget, with a focus on safety.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status (CEng/IEng) is desirable, or actively working towards accreditation.
• Leadership or management training/qualifications, or a willingness to undertake them.
• Project management experience, with the ability to lead and deliver small-scale projects.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve complex problems and proficiency in relevant engineering tools and software.

Benefits

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the future of manufacturing within a highly complex, cutting-edge engineering environment. As part of the broader organization, you may be eligible for relocation support across all Submarine roles (subject to meeting eligibility criteria). In addition, the role offers a competitive pension scheme, employee share plans, and a range of flexible benefits including health, wellbeing and lifestyle programs, a green car scheme, private health plans, and shopping discounts. An annual incentive may also be available.

Careers/Legal

Why BAE Systems? This is a place where you can make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity and merit, and empowers you to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and aim for inclusive recruitment practices. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect performance in assessment types, please discuss reasonable adjustments with your recruiter. Many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions, which may limit eligibility based on nationality or place of birth. All applicants must meet Baseline Personnel Security Standard at a minimum. Some roles may require higher levels of National Security Vetting, which can require extended residency in the UK.

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans and an extensive range of flexible discounts and benefits, including private health plans and shopping discounts; an annual incentive may be available depending on role and performance.