Principal Systems Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Brough; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 76,000; Part time

Job summary

An established defence contractor is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to develop innovative radar solutions. This role requires a good understanding of systems engineering principles and offers flexible hybrid working arrangements. You will lead collaborations across different engineering disciplines and contribute to developing next-generation radar technology. Competitive salary up to £75,900 based on experience.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Private health plans

Flexible discounted health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• A good understanding in some of the following subject areas: signal processing, target track extraction, object classification algorithms, system and sensor resource optimisation.
• Demonstrates understanding and experience of Systems Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel solutions to technical challenges for Radar Systems.
• Lead the decomposition of requirements to system and sub-system level.
• Collaborate with specialists across different engineering disciplines.

Skills

Signal processing

Target track extraction

Object classification algorithms

Systems Engineering standards (e.g., ISO 15288)

Job description

Overview

Job title: Principal Systems Engineer
Location: Cowes, Broad Oak, Great Baddow – Part time & accruing hours available. Salary: Up to £75,900 (dependent on skills and experience).

Put yourself into a dynamic Principal Systems Engineering role at the forefront of real world demands in the defence industry. Alongside ensuring operational excellence for our existing products, there will be the opportunity to develop next radar products to counter emerging threats and contribute to our strategy for new technology.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop novel solutions to evolving technical challenges and emerging issues for complex Radar Systems that our customers and end-user communities are facing.
• Apply a breadth of knowledge, skills and experience of Systems Engineering principles, techniques and governance to steer and develop technical solutions and resolve engineering issues.
• Conduct system design analysis to manage trade-offs of system parameters to characterise and specify robust product design.
• Lead the decomposition of requirements to system and sub-system level and manage these in an approved toolset such as IBM DOORS Next.
• Be a technical focus point with a holistic understanding of a whole system solution leading analysis activities and system design decisions and providing guidance to own team.
• Collaborate with specialists across different engineering disciplines including electronics, electrical, mechanical and software to direct and realise overarching system design solutions.
• Direct and undertake system integration, test planning and execution.
• Define and articulate system acceptance strategies and acceptance evidence demonstrating system performance across a wide range of operational scenarios to internal and external stakeholders.
• Through these activities you will build your personal profile with senior stakeholders and grow a diverse knowledge base in engineering.

Your skills and experiences

• A good understanding in some of the following subject areas: signal processing, target track extraction, object classification algorithms, system and sensor resource optimisation.
• A good understanding of factors that can affect the real-world performance of sensing systems and how these can impact the accuracy and timeliness of measurements in order to meet challenging design objectives and requirements.
• Demonstrates understanding and experience of Systems Engineering which could include knowledge of Systems Engineering standards (e.g., ISO 15288).
• Experience of presenting both technical and non-technical information in a formal setting.

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers 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 Radar Systems Engineering team

You will be working as a Principal Systems Engineer within our close-knit multi-function radar team of inter-disciplinary engineers, evolving our radar portfolio of existing and brand-new radar products to address emerging and future threats.

Working arrangements

This role is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your skills and invest in your career journey within a global business. You will be supported in growing your knowledge in contemporary and cutting-edge Radar techniques, with opportunities to develop your skills and responsibilities in technical leadership. In this role, you will be able to enjoy both flexible and hybrid working arrangements. Our workplace in Cowes is an easily accessible commute from Southampton with a regular foot passenger ferry and BAE shuttle service from the ferry terminal to site.

About our work approach

As the world has evolved, so has the way we work. Our working approach will enable you to have flexibility with your working hours, depending on your role and location. This could include part time hours, accruing hours as well as flexibility around start and finish times, ensuring you can balance life at work, on site and life at home.

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 thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to ensure our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible.

If you have a 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, citizenship 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 Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous service in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17 September 2025. 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. LI-AP1 LI-Onsite