Principal Software Engineer

BAE Systems; Greater London; Remote; GBP 64,000 - 76,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Principal Software Engineer located in Isle of Wight. The role involves deriving software requirements, leading software design, and supporting software solutions for naval systems. Ideal candidates will have strong programming experience and knowledge of software lifecycle models. This position offers a competitive salary up to £75,900 and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Potential annual incentive

Qualifications

• Experience with high-level programming languages is essential.
• Strong knowledge of software lifecycle models is required.
• A degree in Computer Science or a relevant field is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Derive and maintain software requirements from system requirements.
• Produce software design to meet the requirements.
• Act as Engineering technical lead for software solutions.

Skills

High-level programming language experience

High-level design methodology

Knowledge of UML

Software lifecycle models (Waterfall, Agile)

BEng/BSc in Computer Science or relevant field

Knowledge of software standards (e.g., ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207)

Knowledge of Ada95

CEng or equivalent capability

Configuration management understanding

Model-based techniques

Education

BEng/BSc in Computer Science or relevant Engineering/Numerate subject

Job description

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer Location: Isle of Wight

Apply (by clicking the relevant button) after checking through all the related job information below.

• Cowes
• We offer flexible working arrangements
• Part time & accruing hours available.

Salary

Up to £75,900 (dependent on skills and experience)

Responsibilities

• Derive and maintain a set of software requirements from a baseline set of systems requirements
• Produce and maintain a software design to meet a set of software requirements
• Use a software design to produce a deliverable software solution
• Undertake peer reviews or checking / verification of peers' solutions across Maritime Services
• Undertake technical reviews, verify and authorise software engineering designs
• Act as an Engineering technical lead for a software solution at a sub-system level
• Maintain a software solution to address reported defects and / or add new functionality
• Support the development of individuals and teams to enhance skills and competencies
• Produce or assist in the creation of software estimates for sub-systems

Qualifications & Skills

• Good experience of using at least one high-level programming language
• Considerable experience of using a high-level design methodology
• Knowledge of UML
• Strong experience of all aspects of the software lifecycle and good knowledge of software lifecycle models (e.g. Waterfall, Agile)
• Have a BEng / BSc in Computer Science or other relevant Engineering or Numerate subject (technology, engineering or science related discipline)
• Have good knowledge of appropriate software standards (e.g. ISO / IEC / IEE 12207)
• Knowledge of Ada95
• Have a CEng or equivalent level of capability or working towards CEng status
• Have a comprehensive understanding of configuration management and experience of a configuration management tool
• An understanding of model-based techniques is advantageous

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 Sampson Radar Software Team

The Sampson Radar Software team is a 30 plus personnel group that provides support and capability upgrades to the Royal Navy and their products.

This role will deliver software products to the customer as part of a team delivering enhancements over the next 10 years, as well as providing ongoing support to existing products.

You will have the opportunity to develop and enhance your skills and knowledge, with the potential to lead into more senior positions within a global business.

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: 25th November 2025