Principal Systems Engineer

good hair day; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK brand in hair care is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the delivery of high-performance hair care products. This role involves owning the product lifecycle, navigating complexity to deliver consumer-focused solutions, and leading a cross-functional R&D team. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a relevant field, extensive experience in design-led tech, and a proven track record of delivering high-end electronic products into manufacture.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in design-led technology or premium electronics.
• Proven track record in delivering high-end electronic products.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Own technical delivery across project scope, timeline, and budget.
• Translate stakeholder requirements into breakthrough product innovations.
• Lead initial prototype design and user evaluations.

Skills

Design-led technology

Planning

Cross-disciplinary communication

Agile methodologies

Education

Degree or HNC/HND in design-led tech or premium electronics

Tools

DFMEA

Requirements management systems

Job description

WHO ARE WE?

Iconic British brand ghd is a global leader in high end professional hair styling tools and the UK's number one recommended styling brand. Loved by stylists and consumers, loved by press, and loved by the people that work for the brand!

Merging science and innovation, with luxury beauty and style; ghd combines cutting edge technologies and beautiful designs to create the most technically advanced hair tools in the world.

Developed by leading scientists and engineers in the dedicated ghd R&D laboratories in Cambridge, ghd tools deliver "safer for hair" heat styling that have become an essential part of the daily lives of professional hair stylists and consumers globally.

Renowned for game changing innovation and superior performance, at ghd we are on a mission to transform lives with the power of a good hair day!

LOCATION

This role will be based in our Cambridge office.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you'll lead the delivery of high-performance, beautifully engineered hair care products. You'll form part of the core leadership team alongside the Project Manager and Product Owner, driving forward game-changing innovations through deep technical expertise, team coaching, and strategic decision-making.

This is a senior technical role responsible for:

• Owning the full product lifecycle from concept to manufacture.
• Navigating complexity and innovation to deliver consumer-focused solutions.
• Leading a cross-functional R&D team with purpose, agility, and precision.

You'll be the go-to expert and technical authority on the project, fostering a collaborative, accountable environment that encourages curiosity, learning, and continuous improvement.

JOB ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Leadership:

• Own technical delivery across project scope, timeline, and budget.
• Translate stakeholder requirements into breakthrough product innovations.
• Make strategic trade-offs between performance, cost, and delivery targets.

Concept & Development:

• Lead initial prototype design and user evaluations.
• Guide cross-functional teams through iterative development cycles.
• Define systems architecture, design ownership, and validation plans.
• Industrialisation & Manufacture
• Ensure smooth handover to NPI and EMS teams, supporting tooling and production runs.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders, including Hong Kong operations and third-party suppliers, to prepare for mass manufacturing.

Team Culture & Coaching:

• Model exceptional accountability and communication practices.
• Champion agile methodologies and technical excellence.
• Foster a collaborative team culture where innovation thrives.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential:

• Degree or HNC/HND with extensive experience in design-led tech or premium electronics.
• Proven track record delivering high-end electronic products into manufacture.
• Strong planning, attention to detail, and cross-disciplinary communication.
• Willingness to travel internationally (EU and China).
• Deep understanding of full product development lifecycles.

Desirable:

• Expertise in electronic control systems and high-temperature applications.
• Experience with consumer product trialling and agile delivery frameworks.
• Familiarity with tools such as HoQ, DFMEA, functional assessments, and requirements management systems.

VALUES

We at ghd are proudly committed to our Company Values and aim to attract and retain employees who live our Values.

• Collaborative - We work together to create the extraordinary.
• Creative - We foster creativity & excellence to create value for our brands and business.
• Courageous - We are agile, entrepreneurial & we own our future.
• Connected - We stay connected and ensure we are always consumer first.
• Committed - We are responsible for our impact on other & the planet.

Notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies.

ghd does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. ghd shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.