Principal Mechanical Engineer

BAE Systems; Chichester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Chichester seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead lifecycle activities for Naval Marine Platforms. The role involves defining technical requirements, managing compliance, and conducting engineering investigations. Applicants should have a degree in mechanical engineering and experience in marine systems, with strong analytical skills. The position offers competitive benefits and requires security vetting due to defense contracts.

Benefits

Competitive pension schemes

Share plans

Private health benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in marine/mechanical engineering in complex industrial/military contexts.
• Competent in assessing mechanical solutions from first principles.
• Knowledge of project management principles related to time, cost, and quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead lifecycle engineering activities for Naval Marine Platforms.
• Define technical requirements and manage requirements compliance.
• Liaise with MOD establishments and suppliers to support project needs.

Skills

Marine mechanical engineering

Technical investigation

Root cause analysis

Design substantiation

Mechanical simulation

Education

Degree in mechanical engineering or related STEM subject

Job description

Lead and conduct early lifecycle engineering activities, including technical investigations, root cause analysis, and feasibility studies. Apply engineering theory and technical knowledge to support findings and recommendations.

Define equipment/system technical requirements and acceptance routes. Manage requirements to develop design solutions for marine mechanical equipment and systems.

Perform design substantiation via calculations for marine mechanical systems and equipment, including mechanical simulation/analysis in structures, fluids, and heat transfer, with appropriate optimisation and verification routines.

Manage technical risk, safety, requirements compliance, and design maturity to meet design review gate requirements. Present findings to engineering design review panels.

Produce technical reports, system/equipment specifications, scopes of work, and assess supplier responses.

Liaise with MOD establishments, test facilities, subcontractors, suppliers, and customers to support project needs. The Principal Mechanical Engineer will deliver professional engineering services to Warship Support in Naval Marine Mechanical Equipment and Systems.

The role involves leading activities across the engineering lifecycle to support in-service Naval Marine Platforms, providing mechanical engineering capabilities to meet platform and customer needs.

Why BAE Systems? We offer an inclusive culture valuing diversity, integrity, and merit, empowering you to reach your potential. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and support reasonable adjustments for disabilities or health conditions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or equivalent in mechanical engineering or a related STEM subject.
• Ideally registered (CEng) or planning to register through a professional institution such as IET, IMechE, IMarEST.
• Experience in marine/mechanical engineering in complex industrial/military contexts.
• Competent in assessing mechanical solutions from first principles using recognised tools.
• Knowledge of project management principles, considering time, cost, and quality.
• Awareness of Systems Engineering benefits in complex projects.
• Experience applying defence and marine standards like DefStan, classification rules, ISO, MCA, IMO.

Please note that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions based on nationality and residency. All applicants must meet at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Higher security vetting may require 5-10 years of UK residency.

We offer competitive benefits, including pension schemes, share plans, flexible health and lifestyle benefits, private health, and potential annual incentives.