Senior Principal Engineer in Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Energy Jobline CVL; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and annual bonus

25 days' holiday + bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Flexible working options

Pension (10% employer contribution)

Onsite amenities

Job summary

Safran in Wolverhampton is seeking a Chief / Senior Principal Engineer to act as the technical authority for the Electro-Mechanical Actuation (EMA) product line within the Global Defence Systems value stream. You will lead technical delivery across the full lifecycle, from proposal through certification, coordinating with the IPT Lead and customers to meet requirements and manage risks.

You will mentor engineers, govern architecture and safety management, and collaborate with suppliers and

Qualifications

• Experience with EMA and safety-critical products.
• Aerospace or defence experience.
• Strong multidisciplinary systems engineering knowledge.
• Experience leading complex engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead EMA systems delivery meeting requirements and safety standards.
• Own system architecture and governance across lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams.
• Interface with customers, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Define programme plans and qualification activities (PDR/CDR).
• Ensure requirements and product safety management, incl. DOORS.
• Support operations, quality and supply chain with investigations.
• Review supplier designs and key deliverables.
• Mentor engineers and promote rigorous engineering culture.

Skills

EMA systems

Control systems

Power electronics

Aerospace/defence

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Requirements management

Technical decision making

Tools

DOORS

Job description

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Chief / Senior Principal Engineer
Wolverhampton

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you-both in and out of work, including:

• Competitive salary and annual bonus and pay review
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Comprehensive health cash plan
• Flexible working options
• Pension (10% employer contribution) and life assurance
• Early finish on Fridays
• Professional development, ongoing training, mentoring
• Onsite amenities: parking, restaurant, bicycle storage, showers
• Family-friendly and accessible workplace policies
• Safran - Here, we craft excellence together.

Your Role

The Chief / Senior Principal Engineer will act as the technical authority for the Electro-Mechanical Actuation (EMA) product line within the Global Defence Systems value stream. Working closely with the IPT Lead, you will provide technical leadership across the programme, ensuring customer requirements are met, technical risks are managed, and engineering solutions are delivered throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of EMA systems, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, safety and quality requirements.
• Own system architecture and technical governance across the full lifecycle, from proposal and definition through to verification, manufacture and sustainment.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary engineering teams, driving timely decision-making and effective problem solving.
• Act as the primary technical interface for customers, suppliers and key stakeholders, leading technical reviews, discussions and negotiations.
• Collaborate with the IPT Lead to define programme plans, milestones and qualification activities, including PDR, CDR and certification reviews.
• Ensure robust requirements, configuration and product safety management, including the use of tools such as DOORS.
• Support Operations, Quality and Supply Chain teams with investigations, continuous improvement and sustainment activities.
• Review supplier designs and key systems engineering deliverables.
• Mentor and develop engineers whilst promoting a collaborative, innovative and technically rigorous engineering culture.

What You'll Bring

• Experience working with Electro-Mechanical Actuation (EMA), control systems, power electronics or related safety-critical products.
• Aerospace or defence experience .
• Strong systems engineering knowledge across mechanical, electrical and software disciplines.
• Experience leading complex engineering projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Confidence making technical decisions and solving challenging engineering problems.
• Strong customer and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships.
• Experience with requirements management, verification and product qualification activities.
• A collaborative mindset, strong communication skills, and a passion for technical excellence