Principal Systems Engineer in Coventry

Energy Jobline ZR; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence engineering programme in the UK is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to work on advanced and secure systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Systems Engineering within defence or similar environments, with expertise in governance & process control or IV&V. The role involves leading requirements capture, delivering compliant technical solutions, and mentoring junior engineers. Applicants must hold sole British citizenship and be eligible for security clearance.

Qualifications

• Proven background in Systems Engineering within defence, aerospace, nuclear, automotive, or secure environments.
• Experience in governance & process control or IV&V.
• Familiarity with working in regulated, safety-critical, or high-integrity environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead requirements capture, analysis, and traceability across multiple projects.
• Deliver compliant technical solutions aligned with programme and regulatory needs.
• Provide expertise in IV&V or engineering governance and process control.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Governance & Process Control

Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V)

Technical Documentation

Stakeholder Communication

Education

STEM degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Requirements Management Tools (e.g., IBM DOORS)

Job description

Location: Coventry / West Midlands (Hybrid 2-3 Days Per Week)

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: Up to £61,500

Overview

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Principal Systems Engineer to join a leading defence engineering programme working on some of the UK’s most advanced and secure systems. We are hiring across two core focus areas:

• Governance & Process Specialists – Expertise in engineering lifecycle management (LCM), compliance, process development, and technical governance.
• IV&V / Integration Specialists – Experience in requirements capture, integration, verification and validation (IV&V), technical documentation, and systems testing.
• If your background aligns strongly with either of these areas, your experience will be highly relevant for upcoming programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead requirements capture, analysis, and traceability across multiple projects.
• Deliver compliant technical solutions aligned with programme and regulatory needs.
• Provide expertise in IV&V or engineering governance and process control.
• Author technical documentation including design artefacts, test specifications, and change deliverables.
• Support full engineering lifecycle management (LCM) from concept to operational acceptance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure delivery within quality, schedule, and cost objectives.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to process improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & Experience

Essential (either focus area):

• Proven background in Systems Engineering within defence, aerospace, nuclear, automotive, or secure environments.
• Experience in at least one of the following:
• Governance & Process Control – LCM compliance, engineering standards, stakeholder assurance.
• Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V) – test planning, execution, defect resolution.
• Strong technical documentation and stakeholder communication skills.
• Familiarity with working in regulated, safety-critical, or high-integrity environments.

Desirable

• Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., IBM DOORS).
• STEM degree or equivalent experience.
• Chartered or working towards CEng status.
• ISTQB or equivalent certification.
• Prior experience on submarine, maritime, defence, or secure communications projects.

Security Clearance Requirement

Due to the sensitive nature of the work, candidates must hold sole British citizenship and be eligible to obtain or currently hold SC or DV clearance.

Call to Action

If you’re an experienced Systems Engineer with expertise in either engineering governance or integration and IV&V, this is an opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most technically challenging and secure programmes. Apply now or contact Declan Bryson at Anson McCade on 07529 161950, quoting reference AMC/DB/PSE/1.