Principal Mechanical Engineer - PNED

BAE Systems; Askam-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to support the design and testing of the Naval Reactor Plant. Key responsibilities include leading engineering resolutions to complex technical issues and collaborating with stakeholders like the Ministry of Defence. The role requires at least a degree in Engineering and proficiency in mechanical drawing interpretation. Salary ranges from £45,628 to £57,500 along with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Relocation support

Competitive pension scheme

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in Engineering, preferably with a focus on Mechanical or Structural.
• Familiarity with non-destructive examination (NDE) techniques.
• Understanding of stress, fatigue, and thermal analysis principles is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the build organization for engineering support.
• Lead assessment of design changes impacting structural elements.
• Represent the engineering function during major construction milestones.
• Investigate technical challenges during construction.

Skills

Mechanical drawing interpretation

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)

Welding engineering principles

Technical report writing

Education

Degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer - PNED, you will play a critical role in supporting the design, build, and test phases of the Naval Reactor Plant (NRP) across multiple programmes, ensuring alignments with the original design intent. This includes leading the resolution of complex technical issues encountered during construction and testing, with a focus on developing robust engineering solutions and maintaining the integrity of the supporting safety case. You will provide expert guidance to internal teams including Engineering Delivery, Test & Commissioning, Operations, and Project Management. Additionally, you will represent the business in collaboration with key external stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Rolls‑Royce Power, ensuring effective coordination across the wider enterprise.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the build organisation, providing engineering support to ensure the final product aligns with original design intent.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of key requirements and critical dimensions related to major structural components.
• Lead the assessment and implementation of design changes impacting primary structural elements, whether driven by emergent issues, continuous improvement, or process updates.
• Support, or where appropriate, serve as the engineering representative within test and authorisation groups.
• Develop specialised knowledge of the unique build sequence of the Reactor Compartment Unit and deliver ongoing engineering support throughout construction.
• Represent the engineering function during the planning and execution of major construction milestones within the Reactor Compartment Unit's scope.
• Investigate and present robust technical solutions to challenges encountered during the construction of the Naval Reactor Plant.
• Provide well‑reasoned technical recommendations to key stakeholders, including Rolls‑Royce and the Ministry of Defence, to support or constructively challenge existing requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree‑level qualification in Engineering, preferably with a focus on Mechanical or Structural disciplines.
• Proficient in interpreting mechanical drawings, with a solid understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Familiarity with welding engineering principles and non‑destructive examination (NDE) techniques.
• Strong technical report writing skills, with experience in producing clear justifications for design changes.
• Desirable
  • Understanding of stress, fatigue, and thermal analysis principles in engineering applications.
  • Awareness of nuclear radiation shielding requirements and best practices.
  • Prior experience working within a nuclear plant environment.
  • Knowledge of the nuclear industry, including familiarity with regulatory bodies and compliance standards.

Why BAE Systems

This is a place where you will 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 leave 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending in the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Benefits and Salary

We offer relocation support across all Submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Salary: £45,628 - £57,500 dependent on experience. 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.