Principal Engineer – Mechanical Engineering

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 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:

• You’ll lead the design of a mechanical system(s), sub-systems and equipment for the next generation Royal Navy submarines.
• You’ll undertake functional design activities, calculations and analysis.
• You’ll produce design documentation, Verification & Validation evidence and safety justifications.
• You’ll be specifying major equipment and support to procurement, qualification and acceptance activities, working collaboratively with suppliers.
• You’ll provide specialist knowledge and subject matter expertise support the installation, integration and commissioning activities associated with the system and equipment.
• You’ll engage with stakeholders across the cross-functional project team.
• You’ll mentor junior engineers in the team.

Core duties:

• You’ll be degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
• You’ll have proven experience in designing mechanical systems and specifying complex, high value mechanical equipment.
• You’ll be able to drive various engineering tasks with your excellent communication skills and significant experience of dealing with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• You’ll have knowledge of the complete engineering lifecycle with experience of operating in a number of the key lifecycle phases including requirements, system design, integration and acceptance.
• You’ll bring good awareness of product safety and SHE to the role.

The Dreadnought Platform Mechanical Engineering Team: This is an exciting time to join a dynamic engineering team on the largest and most complex UK defence programme, which is currently transitioning from system design to build and commissioning support, where your expertise will help drive the delivery of critical mechanical systems into Test & Commissioning.

Through close collaboration with our suppliers and key stakeholders, you will be leading the development of design documents to achieve design completion, reviewing supplier documentation, demonstrating compliance with technical requirements and undertaking assessment of design compliance to support the development of our systems. This includes system-level design, technical responsibility, supplier engagement, and the opportunity to support build, test and commissioning activities across a major submarine programme.

We offer relocation support packages across all Submarine roles, subject to meeting 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: 2nd April 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.