Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Infrastructure

BAE Systems; Sutton-in-Ashfield; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer based in Barrow-in-Furness. This key leadership role involves delivering complex manufacturing projects and ensuring safety, quality, and cost targets are met. The successful candidate will apply engineering expertise, manage resources for project delivery, and enhance operational excellence. Required qualifications include an HNC/D in Construction, Engineering, or Project Management, along with experience in managing complex projects and stakeholder relationships.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits, including private health plans

Relocation support

Qualifications

• Experience in submarine operations/trade domains is advantageous.
• Background in engineering or project oversight on major facilities.

Responsibilities

• Convert industrial capability concepts into defined requirement strategies.
• Manage delivery of allocated scope including planning and scheduling work.
• Support evolution of submarine build methods.
• Ensure design intent is achieved in operations.

Skills

Construction

Project Management

Stakeholder management

Engineering background

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Education

HNC/D or equivalent in Construction, Engineering or Project Management

Job description

Job Title: Principal Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Barrow-in-Furness (On-site)
Salary: Competitive

What you'll be doing

• Convert industrial capability concepts, infrastructure needs and technology plans into defined requirement strategies and business cases
• Manage delivery of allocated scope, including planning and scheduling work packages in line with annual and quarterly milestones for future facility development
• Define and develop facility and infrastructure requirements in collaboration with the Senior Requirements Manager, supporting implementation of a new Production Line Operating Model using RIBA LCM
• Contribute to the development of future manufacturing processes by creating process maps, analysing data, resolving technical queries and providing measurable improvements
• Support the evolution of submarine build methods while maintaining an understanding of existing production practices
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with facility owners, senior leadership, subject matter experts and key stakeholders across internal and external organisations
• Translate engineering design intent into manufacturing engineering outputs to support facility capability development, ensuring documentation accuracy and compliance

Skills and experiences

• HNC/D or equivalent in Construction, Engineering or Project Management
• Knowledge of submarine operations/trade domains (Coatings, Build, Test & Commissioning), Engineering, or Infrastructure/Facility Management is advantageous
• Stakeholder management and submarine sector networking experience desirable
• Experience managing complex projects, programmes or portfolios; AutoCAD and SolidWorks skills beneficial
• Background in engineering or project oversight on major facilities, including configuration and systems management

Team & Role

You will be part of the Build & Test (SSNA Infrastructure) team, delivering complex, cross‑discipline manufacturing projects. Your responsibilities include ensuring methods of manufacture, assembly and repair meet safety, quality, cost and delivery targets throughout the product lifecycle. You will apply your expertise to ensure design intent is achieved in operations, manage resources to support project delivery, and balance stakeholder demands across Manufacturing Operations and Programme teams. This is a key leadership role focussed on driving capability, compliance and operational excellence.

Benefits

• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share plans
• 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
• Relocation support across all Submarine roles (subject to eligibility criteria)

Inclusion & Diversity

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 that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Security & Vetting

Many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. All applicants must, as a minimum, achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Higher levels of National Security Vetting may be required, depending on the role.

Closing Date: 12th 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.