Principal Systems Engineer

BAE Systems; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor in Frimley seeks a Principal Systems Engineer to provide oversight of design and technical leadership. The role involves managing design changes, engaging stakeholders early, and ensuring successful integration of systems. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in network or software engineering and possess leadership qualities. Competitive benefits include a hybrid working arrangement and various flexible health benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in network or software engineering is required.
• Ability to lead on technical issues and provide guidance.
• Chartered Engineer status or progress towards is essential.
• Experience with Combat Systems, especially submarines, is advantageous.
• Hands-on knowledge of DOORS is necessary.
• Proven experience in managing change processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical design, lead design decisions, and assist in delivering programmes.
• Control project scope, manage design changes, and engage stakeholders early.
• Conduct design reviews and produce Certificates of Design.
• Review technical requirements for system integration.
• Provide expertise in integration, validation, and verification.

Skills

Network or software engineering experience

Technical leadership

Chartered Engineer status or progress towards

Specialist expertise in Combat Systems

Familiarity with DOORS

Change management processes experience

Education

Systems Engineering (INCOSE) qualifications

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer

Location: Frimley. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Negotiable dependant on experience

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and technical ownership of CCS design, leading design decisions and supporting the Engineering Manager in delivering in-service programmes
• Ensure technical leadership by controlling project scope, managing design changes, and engaging stakeholders and suppliers to identify risks early
• Lead programme-level design reviews, coordinate stakeholders, manage design baselines and voids, and produce Certificates of Design while ensuring design governance
• Review and influence technical requirements and architectural design to ensure system integration, covering sub-systems and specialist domains for subcontractor design, development, and qualification
• Provide specialist knowledge and subject matter expertise in the integration, validation and verification of systems

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• Extensive experience in network or software engineering, ideally with a background in operations
• Ability to take the lead on technical matters and provide expert guidance
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards
• Specialist expertise in Combat Systems, particularly in relation to submarines, would be advantageous
• Familiarity with DOORS and prior hands-on experience using it
• Proven experience in change management processes

Desirable:

• Systems Engineering (INCOSE) qualifications

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 team

You will be joining the In-Service Programme team, working on the V Class, where you\'ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, delivering high-quality results within tight enterprise timelines. As part of a medium-sized core team of 6-12, you\'ll also collaborate with a wider group of around 30, engaging with a broad stakeholder network. This role demands strong technical leadership, owning challenges, proactively solving problems, and working with the right stakeholders to drive solutions forward. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

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.

Security and eligibility

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export 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: 16th October 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.

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