Principal Systems Engineer (Defence)

Matchtech; Barrow-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech seeks a Principal Systems Engineer with extensive MBSE expertise to support submarine systems throughout their lifecycle. You will create and maintain system models, analyse requirements, and drive verification using MBSE techniques, while mentoring engineers and promoting best practices.

The role requires technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams and close collaboration with stakeholders to ensure regulatory and customer requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Extensive MBSE experience in defence/submarine sectors.
• Strong systems engineering lifecycle knowledge.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to coach engineers and foster best practices.

Responsibilities

• Create, develop and maintain system models across the lifecycle.
• Define, analyse and manage complex system requirements using MBSE.
• Support design development, system analysis, verification and validation via model-based approaches.
• Assess and communicate impact of system models on platform performance and design.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship within engineering teams.

Skills

MBSE

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder communication

Regulatory compliance

Requirements management

MBSE tools

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Systems Engineer with expertise in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to support the design and development of advanced submarine systems.

This position will play a key role throughout the engineering lifecycle, applying systems modelling techniques to capture requirements, influence design decisions, support analysis activities, and provide evidence for verification and validation. You will also contribute to the growth of MBSE capability within the organisation through technical leadership, mentoring and the promotion of best practice.

Location: Hybrid role, 2 days per fortnight to be based in either Barrow-in-Furness or Filton.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create, develop and maintain system models throughout the lifecycle, from early concept stages through to in-service support.
• Utilise MBSE methodologies to define, analyse and manage complex system requirements.
• Support design development, system analysis, verification and validation activities through model-based approaches.
• Assess and communicate the impact of system models on wider submarine platform performance and design considerations.

Technical Leadership & Capability Development:

• Act as the MBSE subject matter expert within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Provide technical direction, coaching and support to engineers and wider project stakeholders.
• Drive the continuous development of MBSE capability, standards and engineering excellence.
• Share knowledge, lessons learned and best practice to enhance organisational capability.

Requirements Management & Design Assurance:

• Ensure requirements are captured, managed and fully traceable throughout the design lifecycle.
• Support requirement allocation to suppliers and review deliverables for compliance and technical suitability.
• Ensure design evidence is appropriately documented, justified and approved through relevant governance processes.
• Participate in design reviews and engineering assurance activities.

Programme Delivery Support:

• Contribute specialist MBSE input into project planning activities, bids, proposals and resource forecasting.
• Track engineering progress, identify risks and support mitigation and recovery planning activities.
• Provide technical support and guidance across programmes where specialist expertise is required.

Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure engineering activities are performed in accordance with company procedures and recognised industry standards.
• Support compliance with defence, naval and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a strong commitment to product safety, environmental considerations and SHE standards.

Successful candidates will contribute to the delivery of:

• System models, requirements architectures and traceability artefacts.
• Engineering solutions that satisfy customer, contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Controlled design documentation and model-based engineering deliverables.
• Design change assessments and associated technical documentation.
• Lifecycle Management reviews and engineering governance activities.
• Technical assessments and reviews of supplier submissions.
• The training, mentoring and development of engineers using MBSE tools and techniques.
• Significant experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) within defence, submarine, maritime, aerospace or similarly regulated engineering sectors.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering processes across the complete engineering lifecycle.
• Experience developing and managing system models to support requirements management, design, verification and validation activities.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Previous experience providing technical leadership, mentoring or coaching engineering teams.
• Good understanding of defence and/or maritime engineering standards and frameworks.
• Experience using requirements management and systems engineering toolsets.
• Awareness of current and emerging MBSE methods, technologies and industry trends.
• Strong understanding of product safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to operate successfully within large-scale, multidisciplinary engineering programmes.