Principal Systems Engineer

BAE Systems; Bedale; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to develop innovative solutions for complex radar systems. This role involves conducting system design analysis, leading requirements decomposition, and working with multi-disciplinary teams. Ideal candidates should have experience in systems design, integration, and testing, along with strong communication skills. A degree in an engineering or science discipline is required. Flexible working arrangements are offered, alongside a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Health and wellbeing benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience of systems design, integration & test.
• Understanding of systems and product lifecycles from concept to delivery.
• Understanding of radar systems is desirable.
• Good interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively.
• Experience of presenting technical and non-technical information.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel solutions for complex radar systems.
• Conduct system design analysis and manage trade-offs.
• Lead decomposition of requirements to system and sub-system level.
• Direct and undertake system integration, test planning, and execution.
• Define system acceptance strategies and performance evidence.

Skills

Systems design

Integration & test

Engineering disciplines understanding

Interpersonal skills

Technical presentation

Education

Degree in engineering or science discipline

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer

Location: Isle of Wight – Cowes, Portsmouth Broad Oak or Chelmsford – Great Baddow.

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Salary: up to £75,900, commensurate with skills and experience. Part‑time and accruing hours are available.

What you’ll be doing

• Developing novel solutions to evolving technical challenges and emerging issues for complex radar systems that our customers and end‑user communities are facing.
• Applying a breadth of knowledge, skills and experience of systems engineering principles, techniques and governance to steer and develop technical solutions and resolve engineering issues.
• Conducting system design analysis to manage trade‑offs of system parameters to characterise and specify robust product design.
• Leading the decomposition of requirements to system and sub‑system level and managing these in an approved toolset such as IBM DOORS Next.
• Acting as a technical focus point with a holistic understanding of the system solution, leading analysis activities and system design decisions and providing guidance to your team.
• Collaborating with specialists across different engineering disciplines including electronics, electrical, mechanical, software and radar subject‑matter experts to direct and realise overarching system design solutions.
• Directing and undertaking system integration, test planning and execution.
• Defining and articulating system acceptance strategies and acceptance evidence demonstrating system performance across a wide range of operational scenarios to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills and Experience

• Experience of systems design, integration & test.
• Understanding of systems and product lifecycles from concept through to delivery.
• Understanding of a range of engineering disciplines (software, mechanical, electrical).
• Understanding of radar systems is desirable, though not essential if complementary skills demonstrate a capacity to learn new technologies quickly and effectively.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to all levels within the organisation and externally.
• Experience of presenting both technical and non‑technical information in a formal setting.
• Degree (or equivalent) in an engineering or science discipline.

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.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

BAE Systems is committed to an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity and merit, and empowers individuals to fulfil their potential. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about reasonable adjustments. Many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions; applicants must achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard and, where required, higher levels of national security vetting.

Closing Date

Closing Date: 26th January 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.