Principal Systems Engineer

BAE Systems; Farnborough; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to provide oversight and technical leadership in CCS design. The role requires extensive experience in network or software engineering and a Chartered Engineer status. You will work in a hybrid environment, leading design reviews and ensuring technical governance. Benefits include flexible health plans and potential relocation support. Join a team committed to high-quality results and strong stakeholder engagement.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Annual incentive

Qualifications

• 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 it.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and technical ownership of CCS design.
• Ensure technical leadership by controlling project scope and managing design changes.
• Lead programme-level design reviews and coordinate stakeholders.
• Review technical requirements and ensure system integration.
• Provide specialist knowledge in the integration and verification of systems.

Skills

Network or software engineering experience

Technical leadership

Chartered Engineer status

Specialist expertise in Combat Systems

Familiarity with DOORS

Change management experience

Education

Systems Engineering qualifications (INCOSE)

Job description

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

What you’ll be doing :

• 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.

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 :

23rd December 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.