Principal Process Engineer

BAE Systems; Pontypool; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company is seeking a Principal Process Engineer based in Glascoed. You will build a high-performing team while ensuring safe and compliant manufacturing processes. Responsibilities include managing processes from design to implementation and mentoring senior engineers. The ideal candidate will hold an engineering degree and possess proven experience in process design and people management. A competitive salary and good benefits, including a pension scheme, are offered in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Discounted health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in design and installation of complex processes.
• A strong background in managing engineering teams effectively.
• A degree in engineering or relevant field is essential.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team of Process Engineers.
• Manage and mentor Senior Process Engineers.
• Liaise with Safety teams to develop Safe Systems of Work.

Skills

Proven track record in design and installation of processes

Experience in managing people

Education

Science or Engineering degree, HND or equivalent – Manufacturing/Electrical/Mechanical

Tools

NEBOSH certificate in Occupational Health and Safety

Job description

Job Title: Principal Process Engineer

Location: Glascoed

Salary: Up £57,000 depending upon skills & experience

What you’ll be doing:

• Building a high performing team of Process Engineers, ensuring the appropriate level of competency is established to ensure manufacturing processes are designed, installed, commissioned and run in a safe manner and process risks are ALARP
• Managing and mentoring of a team of Senior Process Engineers
• Liaising with the site Safety/High Hazard team to develop and maintain manufacturing High Hazard Safe Systems of Work, including Fire & Explosion Risk Assessment, DSEAR and Standard Operating Procedures
• Managing and supporting capital acquisition, engineering proposals, and provide estimated costs to achieve operational improvements and financial benefits
• Reviewing technical specifications for new/replacement equipment, overseeing factory acceptance and installed article tests, and carrying out trials and commissioning on process equipment
• Refining the manufacturing processes to achieve process/manufacturing goals according to product specification and business priorities
• Working to improve equipment availability and capability, carry out process capability studies
• Solving any emergent technical issues as part of a multidisciplinary team

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Science or Engineering degree, HND or equivalent – Manufacturing/Electrical/Mechanical
• Proven track record in design and installation of processes
• Experience in managing people

Desirable:

• NEBOSH certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• Experience in highly regulated or hazardous industry

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 Special Projects team:

As a Principal Process Engineer, you will oversee the design, optimisation, and continuous improvement of key production and operational processes. You’ll apply deep technical expertise and problem‑solving skills to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety while driving innovation across multidisciplinary teams. This role requires strong analytical capability, hands‑on experience with process design and implementation, and the ability to guide a team of engineers through technical challenges. The position will be based at the BAE Systems Land UK site in Glascoed, Monmouthshire on a four‑day working pattern within a hybrid‑working environment with occasional travel to other customer, manufacturing and test and evaluation sites.

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: 5th January 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.

“Due to the festive season, there may be a delay in the processing of your application. Your application is important to us, and we will respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.”