Principal Warfare Capability Engineer

QinetiQ; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Portsmouth seeks a Principal Warfare Capability Engineer to shape naval operations using cutting-edge autonomous systems. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring systems are mission-ready and effective. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and relevant experience in defence systems. Competitive salary and extensive benefits offered.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance

Generous holiday allowance

Health Cash Plan options

Employee discount portal

Volunteering Opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in defence systems engineering or warfare capability delivery.
• Experience mentoring and inspiring engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of operational expertise into autonomous system design.
• Support IDT Programme leads in delivering rapid-deployment naval capabilities.
• Translate operational needs into technical requirements for complex projects.
• Develop and oversee trials and experimentation to validate system performance.
• Provide guidance on regulatory, safety, and integration challenges.

Skills

Domain SME experience in Underwater warfare

Knowledge of Autonomy C2 and human-machine interaction

Awareness of Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous Systems strategy

Experience developing trials and experimentation plans

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering, scientific or technical discipline

Job description

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role ID: SF18812

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow – we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Warfare Capability Engineer at our Portsdown Technology Park (PTP), Portsmouth site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Principal Warfare Capability Engineer, you’ll shape the future of autonomous and uncrewed systems for the Royal Navy. Your expertise will ensure systems are operationally effective, safe, and mission-ready, directly influencing how naval operations are executed.

Day-to-day, you’ll work with multi-disciplinary teams to integrate operational knowledge into engineering solutions, define technical requirements, guide development and trials, and provide authoritative advice on regulatory, safety, and integration challenges. You’ll also help shape the roadmap for future autonomous warfare capabilities.

Your responsibilities

• Lead the integration of operational expertise into autonomous system design
• Support IDT Programme leads in delivering rapid-deployment naval capabilities
• Translate operational needs into technical requirements for complex projects
• Develop and oversee trials and experimentation to validate system performance
• Provide guidance on regulatory, safety, and integration challenges
• Mentor and inspire the engineering team

Essential experience

• Domain SME experience in Underwater warfare
• Knowledge of Autonomy C2 and human-machine interaction
• Awareness of Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous Systems strategy
• Experience developing trials and experimentation plans

Essential qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering, scientific or technical discipline
• Demonstrable experience in defence systems engineering or warfare capability delivery

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education; provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn, then we would like to hear from you.

This role is full-time per week based at Portsdown Technology Park (PTP), Portsmouth. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

PTP

Portsmouth Technology Park (PTP) is one of QinetiQ’s key facilities, focusing on advanced technology development and engineering services. It is dedicated to research and development, ensuring that complex systems are designed, integrated, and tested effectively to meet operational requirements. The facility utilises sophisticated modelling and simulation techniques to analyse and predict performance.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)