Principal Systems Engineer

Gold Group; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense consultancy is seeking an experienced Principal Systems Engineer (Technical Lead) in Portsmouth. You will lead a cross-disciplinary team within the Naval Combat Systems Integration Support Services contract, guiding both strategy and technical direction for the Synthetic Test Environment and Analysis Tools Service capabilities. Strong skills in systems engineering and technical leadership are essential. This role requires close collaboration with customers and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with evolving needs.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in systems engineering, preferably in a naval or defense environment.
• Strong technical leadership skills with experience managing engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Synthetic Test Environment and Analysis Tools Service capabilities.
• Shape and implement the future strategy aligned with customer needs.
• Provide hands-on technical expertise and strategic direction.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Requirements

Technical Leadership

Engineering Team Leadership

Integration

Verification & Validation (IV&V)

DIS (Distributed Interactive Simulation)

HLA (High Level Architecture)

DDS (Data Distribution Service)

Virtual Machines (VMware / Hyper‑V)

Shared Computing Environments

Servers & Hosting Platforms

Job description

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer (Technical Lead)

Location: Portsmouth

Day Rate: £DOE Inside IR35

Term: 6 Months

Security Clearance: SC to start

Key Skills: Systems Engineering, Requirements, Technical Leadership, Engineering Team Leadership, Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V), DIS (Distributed Interactive Simulation), HLA (High Level Architecture), DDS (Data Distribution Service), Virtual Machines (VMware / Hyper‑V), Shared Computing Environments. Servers & Hosting Platforms

We are seeking an experienced Principal Systems Engineer (Technical Lead) to lead the delivery of Synthetic Test Environment and Analysis Tools Service (STEATS) capabilities in support of the Naval Combat Systems Integration Support Services (NCSISS) contract.

About Us

In this senior technical leadership role, you will shape and implement the future strategy for the STEATS offering, ensuring it remains aligned with evolving customer needs. You will lead a cross‑disciplinary team of engineers, providing both hands‑on technical expertise and strategic direction, while working closely with customers and stakeholders.

This role combines technical leadership, systems engineering, and simulation and analysis tool development, enabling combat systems engineers to operate effectively within complex naval environments.

The Role

So, what will you be doing as a Principal Systems Engineer?

Shape and guide the future strategy and …