Senior Combat Systems Engineer

BAE Systems; Waterlooville; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace contractor in Waterlooville seeks a Senior Combat Systems Engineer to support engineering management at Portsmouth Naval Base. Responsibilities include ensuring design safety and integrating engineering changes. Strong experience with combat systems and excellent communication skills are essential. The role offers a competitive salary up to £50,000, hybrid working, and a variety of employee benefits like a pension scheme and health plans.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Health and wellbeing benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Potential annual incentive

Qualifications

• Experience with in‑service platform combat systems or a substantial systems background.
• Validated proficiency in assessing and analysing the performance of complex combat systems.
• Ability to develop and implement rigorous test and acceptance criteria for system modifications.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Combat Systems Engineering Manager in compiling design evidence.
• Ensuring comprehensive safety cases for design changes.
• Developing engineering‑impact assessments and supporting problem resolution.

Skills

Experience with in‑service platform combat systems

Validated proficiency in assessing and analysing the performance of complex combat systems

Ability to develop and implement rigorous test and acceptance criteria

Excellent communication skills

Experience managing change on complex platforms

Job description

Senior Combat Systems Engineer – Portsmouth Naval Base

Job Title: Senior Combat Systems Engineer. Location: Portsmouth Naval Base. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available. Salary: up to £50,000 depending on skills and experience.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting the Combat Systems Engineering Manager in compiling evidence that design intent has been achieved and design change has been fully integrated.
• Ensuring each design‑change safety case is comprehensive, coherent and consistent.
• Applying engineering knowledge to the complex engineering‑change process, developing engineering‑impact assessments and supporting problem resolution.
• Collating evidence for Naval Authority certification submissions.
• Providing technical support to Class Lead Engineers and Platform Engineering Managers in engineering‑change embodiment.
• Developing team capability for graduates, apprentices and STEM Returners to achieve technical objectives.
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to understand and incorporate their requirements.
• Providing safe and environmentally friendly instructions for the team.
• Leading by example in SHE, acting on SHE concerns.

Required skills and experience

• Experience with in‑service platform combat systems or a substantial systems background.
• Validated proficiency in assessing and analysing the performance of complex combat systems.
• Ability to develop and implement rigorous test and acceptance criteria for system modifications and new equipment.
• Excellent communication skills; able to present technical information clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences, including senior management.
• Experience managing change on complex platforms or systems.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme, employee share plans, health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, green car scheme, private health plans, shopping discounts and potential annual incentive.

Application

Closing date: 9 January 2026. The vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received.