Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead complex systems engineering projects and influence high-impact defence programmes.
  • Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence and engineering with a commitment to safety and security.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, a matched pension scheme, and excellent development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape innovative solutions and enhance your leadership skills in a globally respected organisation.
  • Qualifications: Engineering degree or equivalent experience; chartered status is a plus.
  • Other info: Hybrid working options available, promoting a flexible work-life balance.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Systems Engineer at our Babcock Technology Centre site.

The Role

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you’ll take on a senior technical leadership role with accountability for the delivery of complex systems engineering activity across the full engineering lifecycle. This is an exciting opportunity to influence high-impact defence programmes, lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams and shape solutions that operate at system-of-systems level.

Day-to-day you’ll be required to:

  • Lead and coordinate systems engineering activity across integration, software, safety, security, human factors and installation disciplines.
  • Manage and deliver engineering outputs across the full lifecycle, from requirements through to Factory Acceptance Test and beyond.
  • Champion and tailor the Babcock Engineering Process to ensure quality, safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Identify and mitigate technical and delivery risks while supporting programme performance and key milestones.
  • Report and improve engineering performance project KPIs, driving continuous improvement initiatives.

You’ll be trusted to guide engineering strategy, manage change and growth, and ensure solutions meet demanding quality, safety and security requirements. In return, you’ll gain exposure to nationally significant programmes, develop your leadership capability and strengthen your professional profile within a globally respected engineering organisation. This role is full time, 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days onsite and days working from home. You’ll be onsite as and when required, dependent on business needs.

Essential experience of the Principal Systems Engineer

  • Extensive and demonstrable systems engineering management and solution design and delivery experience, with full lifecycle engineering management experience.
  • Knowledge of UK MoD practices and ways of working.
  • Proven background in system and software integration within large, complex system-of-systems programmes.
  • Experience managing technical specialisms including safety, human factors, commissioning and integration.
  • Experience of a range of delivery methods (waterfall, lean, agile, DevOps, etc.).

Qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer

  • Engineering Degree or equivalent.
  • HNC/HND with equivalent, relevant experience is valued and welcomed.
  • Chartered Engineer or working towards.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.

What We Offer

  • Generous holiday allowance
  • Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
  • Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
  • Employee share scheme
  • Employee shopping savings portal
  • Payment of Professional Fees
  • Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
  • Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
  • ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
  • Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing
  • A relocation package for those outside of the region

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal. We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol employer: Babcock International

Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Technology Centre in Stoke Gifford, Bristol, where you can thrive as a Principal Systems Engineer. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a strong commitment to employee development, we foster a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement, empowering you to lead impactful defence programmes while enjoying hybrid working arrangements. Join us to enhance your professional profile within a globally respected engineering organisation that values your contributions and supports your growth.
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Contact Detail:

Babcock International Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Babcock on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost our chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Babcock's projects and values. We want to show that we’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture. Tailor our answers to reflect their mission of creating a safe and secure world.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with us. This will help us articulate our experience in systems engineering and demonstrate our leadership skills confidently.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the Babcock team.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

Systems Engineering Management
Solution Design and Delivery
Full Lifecycle Engineering Management
UK MoD Practices
System and Software Integration
Technical Specialisms Management
Safety and Human Factors Knowledge
Commissioning and Integration Experience
Delivery Methods (Waterfall, Lean, Agile, DevOps)
Engineering Process Tailoring
Risk Identification and Mitigation
Performance Reporting and Improvement
Leadership Capability
Security Clearance Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Principal Systems Engineer role. Highlight your systems engineering management experience and any relevant projects you've led, as this will show us you're a great fit for the position.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission at Babcock. Don’t forget to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your leadership in complex engineering projects.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Be sure to include details about your experience with system integration, software development methodologies, and any relevant certifications. This will help us understand your capabilities in managing complex systems.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to keep track of all applicants efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International

✨Know Your Systems Engineering Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your systems engineering principles, especially those relevant to the full lifecycle management. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in managing complex systems and how you've tackled challenges in integration and software delivery.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Babcock's Values

Understand Babcock's mission to create a safe and secure world. Be prepared to explain how your personal values align with theirs, particularly in terms of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. This will show that you're not just a technical fit but also a cultural one.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that ask you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think of examples where you've identified and mitigated risks or improved project KPIs. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you'll be leading multi-disciplinary teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, managed change, and influenced engineering strategies. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively across different disciplines.

Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol
Babcock International
Location: Bristol
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