Principal Systems Engineer

Babcock International Group; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership on a UK defence programme. This role involves overseeing the systems engineering lifecycle, managing requirements, and mentoring engineers. Candidates should have a relevant engineering degree and experience in safety-critical environments. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to Digital GP services

Employee share scheme

Payment of Professional Fees

'Be Kind Day' for volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Proven leadership across complex systems engineering programmes.
• Ability to coordinate technical delivery in regulated environments.
• Experience in V&V and systems architecting.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering strategy for major defence programme.
• Oversee requirements management and integrated test evaluations.
• Mentor systems engineers within the function.

Skills

Leadership of systems engineering delivery

Background in safety-critical environments

Experience in requirements management

Capability development and mentoring

Education

Degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

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Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer
Location: Bristol, Warrington, Newbury or Leicester – Hybrid Working Arrangement
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF

At Cavendish Nuclear, we’re working to create a safe and secure world. Join us as a Principal Systems Engineer at one of our Cavendish Nuclear Hubs and play your part.

The role

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will be a senior leader supporting a major UK defence programme within the PP&E Programme. You’ll provide functional and technical leadership across the entire systems engineering lifecycle, acting as a bridge between delivery teams, strategic partners, and internal capability development.

Your responsibilities include leading systems engineering strategy, overseeing requirements management, integrated test and evaluation, model-based systems engineering, and system architecting. You will lead multiple project streams and serve as a Senior Engineering Manager equivalent.

You will own and maintain key strategies, plans, and procedures, including the PP&E Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP). Mentoring and supporting CNL systems engineers, developing team capabilities, and providing line management within the SE function are also key aspects of your role.

Additionally, you will develop organisational design for SE delivery within the programme, oversee technical assessments for SE candidates, and represent the SE function at various forums.

This is a full-time role, 37 hours per week, with hybrid working arrangements at one of our Cavendish Nuclear Hubs.

Essential experience

• Leadership of systems engineering delivery across complex programmes
• Strong background in safety-critical or regulated environments (e.g., defence, nuclear)
• Experience in requirements management, V&V, systems architecting, and MBSE
• Ability to lead capability development, mentor teams, and coordinate technical delivery

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent experience

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance. Further details are available on our website.

What We Offer

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10 days of paid leave
• Holiday Trading benefit for buying or selling leave
• ‘Be Kind Day’ for volunteering leave
• Development opportunities and wellbeing support programs

Cavendish Nuclear

As a leader within the UK nuclear industry, Cavendish Nuclear is part of...