Senior Combat Systems Engineer in Portsmouth

Location: Portsmouth Naval Base & Portsmouth Broad Oak – hybrid pattern of 3/4 days on site.

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Up to £49,000 depending on 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'll be doing:

Within the Warship Technical Authority, WTA, you will provide engineering support to programmes and projects across Warship Support, including Royal Navy surface ship contracts, international naval support, and internal and external consultancy activity.

As a Senior Combat Systems Engineer, you will contribute to delivering core service elements such as design change, technical assurance, material state and obsolescence management, specialist support, and future support planning. You will support technical leadership and wider systems engineering, following agreed training and people‐management processes.

Core duties:

• Providing combat systems engineering support across a wide range of platforms and programmes, encompassing Combat Management Systems, sensors, effectors, networks and weapons systems, while supporting CSM platforms, non‐CSM tasks and international naval programmes as directed.
• Supporting assigned project(s) Principal and Senior Engineers liaising with internal and external stakeholders (MOD, Overseas Navies, OEMs and project teams) where requested.
• Assisting with the maintenance platform of systems design integrity across diverse engineering contexts, including pan class and cross programme deployments.
• Supporting structured investigations, impact assessments and integration analyses across platform systems for assigned projects to drive evidence-based decisions as directed by project(s) technical lead(s).
• Supporting safe, efficient implementation of platform systems design change by supporting maintenance of configuration control and holistic integration across affected domains.
• Supporting with collation of evidence for safety case maintenance and Naval Authority/Customer certification submissions.
• Supporting the WTA Combat Systems technical lead for your assigned project(s) and the Hub as directed.

Essential skills:

• You will have knowledge of typical UK naval domains with background in combat systems, electrical engineering or munitions.
• Understanding of defence and maritime standards applicable to UK MOD and an awareness for overseas customers.
• You will demonstrate a sound understanding of the engineering lifecycle.
• Degree qualified or equivalent in Systems/Combat Systems/Electrical Engineering or a related discipline and a commitment to working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

The WTA Combat Systems Team:

This position sits within the Warship Technical Authority (WTA) Service Hub, part of the Asset Management team within Warship Support. The WTA delivers Naval whole ship, systems and equipment engineering support and change management.

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: 14th May 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.