Principal Systems Engineer / Software/Simulation

BAE Systems; Freshwater; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to lead technical projects in maritime simulation at their Broad Oak location. This role includes hands-on leadership, software development, and system integration using tools like IBM DOORS Next. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in Systems Engineering, excellent leadership skills, and familiarity with Agile methodologies. Competitive benefits and flexible working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of Systems Engineering for software-based products.
• Strong background in technical leadership and team guidance.
• Familiarity with both Waterfall and Agile lifecycle models.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to software engineering teams.
• Develop software-based Simulation Systems across the engineering lifecycle.
• Lead requirement decomposition and manage specifications.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Software integration lifecycle principles

Requirements management

Agile methodologies

Technical leadership

Tools

IBM DOORS Next

JIRA

CATIA Magic

Job description

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer – Software/Simulation

Location: Portsmouth – Broad Oak – We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Up to £75,900 (dependent on skills and experience)

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide hands-on technical leadership with a team of systems and software engineers, and directly support the product System Design Authority


• Apply the principles of Systems Engineering to develop software-based Simulation Systems across the full engineering lifecycle


• Undertake Simulation Systems equipment design, network design and software design


• Lead requirement decomposition and manage specifications using tools like IBM DOORS Next


• Direct architectural modelling and interface definitions in tools such as CATIA Magic (Cameo)


• Drive system integration and define acceptance strategies for software-based systems


• Lead technical reviews and ensure compliance with customer, legislative & business requirements

Your skills and experiences:

• Demonstrable experience of the application of Systems Engineering for software-based products


• Expertise in Systems Engineering and Software integration lifecycle principles (ISO 15288 and 12207)


• Strong background in requirements management (e.g., IBM DOORS Next – desirable)


• Familiarity with engineering lifecycle models (Waterfall & Agile) and tools (e.g. JIRA)


• Background in software development and integration


• Technical leadership and ability to guide teams across disciplines to shape design solutions

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.

MIMESIS Product team:

You will join our Simulation and Training sector at Broad Oak Works Portsmouth, part of BAE Systems Maritime and Land working on our MIMESIS product.

MIMESIS provides a battlespace simulation of the maritime world; from terrain and seabed, to weather and underwater acoustics, accurately modelling the movement and behaviour of ships, submarines and other platforms, and digitally replicating their unique capabilities (sonars, radars, weapons). As a System Technical Lead within the MIMESIS team, you will have technical responsibility for the design and development of new modules/content for the product, reviewing and approving lower level documentation. You will also provide technical guidance to the engineering team, working closely with System Design Authority, to develop and support MIMESIS for our customers.

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing team of approximately 30 systems and software engineers, working to shape the next generation of maritime simulation through the adoption of new user interface capabilities such as AR/XR and leveraging the capabilities of emerging technologies such as AI.

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, 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 27th 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.

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