Senior Principal Engineer / Principal Engineer

Safran; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Flexible working options

Onsite facilities

Job summary

Safran is seeking a 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 provide technical leadership across the programme, ensuring customer requirements are met and engineering solutions are delivered through the lifecycle.

You will own system architecture, governance, and interfaces with customers and suppliers, mentoring engineers and driving quality and safety across

Qualifications

• Experience with Electro-Mechanical Actuation (EMA) and safety-critical products.
• Aerospace or defence experience preferred.
• Strong systems engineering across mechanical, electrical and software disciplines.
• Experience leading complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to make technical decisions and solve challenging engineering problems.
• Strong customer and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with requirements management, verification and product qualification activities.
• Collaborative mindset and strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of EMA systems across the full lifecycle.
• Own system architecture and governance.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Act as primary technical interface for customers, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Define programme plans, milestones and qualification activities, including PDR, CDR and certification reviews.
• Ensure robust requirements, configuration and product safety management (DOORS).
• Support Operations, Quality and Supply Chain with investigations and sustainment.
• Review supplier designs and key systems engineering deliverables.
• Mentor and develop engineers, promoting a collaborative engineering culture.

Skills

EMA systems

Systems engineering

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Requirements management

Tools

DOORS

Job description

The 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.,

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.

But what else? (benefits, specificities, etc.) Here, we craft excellence together.

Requirements

• Experience working with Electro-Mechanical Actuation (EMA), control systems, power electronics or related safety-critical products.
• Aerospace or defence experience preferred.
• 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.

About Safran

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.

Why Safran?

• A global presence: Be part of a global aerospace, defence & space business with over 100,000 Colleagues, across 300 sites in 30 countries.
• Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger. We know that a fulfilling work environment is a key driver for innovative ideas and team success.
• Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world a safer place. Your ambitions can take us further.
• Mobility & training opportunities: We can support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. If you have big dreams, we'll support you to make them a reality.
• A culture of excellence: Join a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. Whatever your background, together we aim for excellence.

Get involved: We also have a number of groups and forums across our sites that you can get involved with, including Women at Safran, Diversity at Safran, Sports Clubs, STEM ambassadors, Employee Forum, Charity Partnerships and Wellbeing Programs.

Benefits

• 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