At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering assurance for advanced submarine products and ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in defence and aerospace innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working options, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture with strong career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and integrity in cutting-edge submarine technology.
- Qualifications: Mechanical engineering knowledge and experience in assurance frameworks required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Barrow-In-Furness (Hybrid)
We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.
Salary: Circa £55,000 (Commensurate with skills and experience)
Who we are: Join BAE Systems and you'll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you'll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You'll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.
What you will be doing: In this role, you will deliver engineering assurance across Maritime Submarines products, ensuring product integrity and compliance across major programmes. You will plan and prioritise assurance activities using a risk-based approach, lead assurance reviews, and provide independent oversight of engineering decisions. You will work closely with engineering and business teams to influence product quality, support safe delivery, and act as an independent voice in safety assurance, ensuring products meet required standards across the full engineering lifecycle.
Core duties:
- Deliver engineering assurance across submarine programmes, ensuring alignment with the Product Assurance Framework and maintaining product integrity
- Plan and prioritise assurance activities using a risk-based approach, focusing on key technical risks
- Lead and support assurance reviews, validating design decisions, technical bids, and engineering evidence
- Provide independent oversight to design and technical reviews, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and policies
- Ensure products are safe, compliant, cost-effective, and fully integrated, with hazards demonstrated ALARP and configurations controlled
- Collaborate across engineering and business teams to influence outcomes, drive quality, and support programme delivery
- Apply mechanical engineering expertise across design, testing, commissioning, and design proving activities, including verification and validation
- Utilise event reporting, root cause analysis, audits, and change management to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement
Essential Skills:
- Mechanical engineering knowledge across the full engineering lifecycle (design, testing, commissioning, verification & validation)
- Experience delivering engineering assurance or operating within assurance/governance frameworks
- Strong understanding of risk-based approaches, hazard management (ALARP), and safety assurance
- Experience leading or supporting technical and design reviews, including validation of engineering evidence
- Knowledge of configuration control, change management, and engineering compliance within regulated environments
- Ability to interpret and challenge technical decisions to ensure product safety, quality, and integration
The Product Assurance Team:
The Product Assurance team sits at the centre of complex submarine programme delivery, providing independent oversight and assurance across engineering activities. You will contribute to assurance schedules and gain exposure to audits, inspections, reviews, tests, and trials, while supporting issue investigations and tracking assurance activities. This role offers the opportunity to act as a trusted technical advisor, directly supporting the safety and integrity of advanced submarine systems.
Relocation support may be available across submarine roles, subject to eligibility criteria.
Why BAE Systems?
Here you'll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You'll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what's most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.
A place where everyone can thrive:
We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.
Closing Date: 16th August 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Lead Mechanical Engineer – Product Assurance in Barrow in Furness employer: BAE Critical Skills
BAE Systems is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic work environment in Barrow-in-Furness, where you can contribute to pioneering defence and aerospace solutions. With a strong commitment to employee growth, lifelong learning, and a culture of inclusivity, you'll find ample opportunities to develop your skills while being recognised for your contributions. Enjoy a balanced lifestyle with tailored rewards and relocation support, all within a supportive community that values diversity and shared purpose.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Mechanical Engineer – Product Assurance in Barrow in Furness
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like BAE Critical Skills.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like BAE Critical Skills love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of BAE Critical Skills and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Mechanical Engineer – Product Assurance in Barrow in Furness
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for BAE Critical Skills and the Lead Mechanical Engineer – Product Assurance role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Critical Skills
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at BAE Critical Skills.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at BAE Critical Skills.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with BAE Critical Skills, making you a more appealing candidate.
