Principal Systems Engineer

BAE Systems; Freshwater; Hybrid; GBP 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor in the UK is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to join their Naval Ships Combat Systems team. You will ensure that the Force Threat Evaluation & Weapon Assignment solution meets the product vision and specifications. Ideal candidates must have strong skills in system and software design, Agile methodologies, and Azure cloud computing. This role provides opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements. The closing date for applications is 23rd January 2026.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible lifestyle benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Engineers must possess specific qualifications to achieve professional registration.
• Hands-on knowledge of Agile methodologies is essential.
• Experience with Azure cloud and ability to manage complex technical issues.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the FTEWA TDP solution meets product vision and requirements.
• Support the DevSecOps approach to development.
• Maintain system and software design integrity and safety.

Skills

System and Software Design

Ability to manage complex technical issues

Hands-on knowledge of Enterprise Architect

Experience in Agile software development

Experience of the Azure cloud computing environment

Requirements Analysis

Configuration Management

Human Factors

Interface Analysis

Performance Analysis

Product Safety

Education

Academic qualification in Engineering or STEM subjects

Tools

Enterprise Architect

Job description

Job Title

Principal Systems Engineer

Salary

Circa £67,000 dependent on skills and experience

Location

Broad Oak, New Malden, Frimley – We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

What you’ll be doing

• Ensuring that the FTEWA TDP (Force Threat Evaluation & Weapon Assignment, Technical Demonstrator Programme) solution meets the product vision, interpreting product requirements, making and documenting high level design decisions and specifying the technical solution.
• The software design artefacts including:
  • Analysis of System and Software requirements;
  • System specification;
  • Internal and external interface definition;
  • Identifying and managing technical risk;
  • Sell-off of product requirements.
• Following and supporting the DevSecOps approach to development including:
  • Coordinating the design activity across component design and architectural features;
  • Identifying which elements of the design are being brought into the next Sprint(s) and ensuring that there is sufficient maturity in the design;
• Ensuring the system and software design integrity and safety meets the required maturity and quality for the FTEWA TDP product.
• Technical assurance of engineering outputs, including detailed designs, interface specifications and qualification evidence.

Your skills and experiences: Essential

• System and Software Design
• Ability to manage complex technical issues and make engineering judgements based on own knowledge and experience
• Hands‑on knowledge of Enterprise Architect
• Experience of operating within the Agile software development methodology (DevSecOps)
• Experience of the Azure cloud computing environment
• Knowledge and experience of: Requirements Analysis, Configuration Management, Human Factors, Interface Analysis, Performance Analysis, Product Safety

Engineers at all levels should possess an academic qualification in Engineering or other related STEM subjects as well as specific (either academic or professional) qualifications and become recognised as Incorporated or Chartered Engineers through an appropriate recognised professional institution. Engineers are encouraged, and will be supported, to achieve the relevant accreditation. Preference will be given to candidates who are already professionally registered.

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 Naval Ships Combat Systems FTEWA TDP team

The BAE Systems Naval Ships Combat Systems FTEWA TDP Team (Force Threat Evaluation & Weapon Assignment, Technical Demonstrator Programme) use cutting edge technologies to design, develop, integrate and support naval combat system products that enable navies to protect nations. The team contributes to the Naval Ships core product, the Combat Management System, is the ‘brains’ of the ship, allowing crews to understand the tactical situation and to rapidly respond to potentially life‑threatening situations.

This role will help to ensure that naval crews around the world can continue to receive and utilise the most modern capabilities possible in a challenging and ever‑changing environment. We offer significant opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop with us.

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 January 2026 – Interviews will take place w/c 2nd February 2026

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.