At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Principal Systems Engineer, tackling real-world challenges in radar systems.
- Company: BAE Systems is a global leader in defence, committed to innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pension, enhanced leave, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a difference in defence technology while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: A solid grasp of systems engineering principles and relevant technical knowledge is essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours and hybrid working options available; inclusive culture prioritising diversity.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 76000 £ per year.
Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer Location: Isle of Wight – Cowes, Chelmsford – Great Baddow or Portsmouth – BroadOak Salary: Up to £75,900 commensurate with skills and experience. Part time & accruing hours available. Part time & accruing hours available’ Please let us know if you would like to discuss these options. Put yourself into a dynamic Principal Systems Engineering role at the forefront of real world demands in the defence industry. Alongside ensuring operational excellence for our existing products, there will be the opportunity to develop next generation radar products to counter emerging threats and contribution to our strategy for new technology. Your new day-to-day will be exciting and diverse by applying the principles of Systems Engineering across the entire engineering development lifecycle as you join in developing radar systems used by those who serve and protect us. What you’ll be doing: Developing novel solutions to evolving technical challenges and emerging issues for complex Radar Systems that our customers and end-user communities are facing Applying a breadth of knowledge, skills and experience of Systems Engineering principles, techniques and governance to steer and develop technical solutions and resolve engineering issues Conducting system design analysis to manage trade-offs of system parameters to characterise and specify robust product design Leading the decomposition of requirements to system and sub-system level and manage these in an approved toolset such as IBM DOORS Next Be a technical focus point with a holistic understanding of a whole system solution leading analysis activities and system design decisions and providing guidance to own team Collaborating with specialists across different engineering disciplines including electronics, electrical, mechanical and software to direct and realise overarching system design solutions Directing and undertaking system integration, test planning and execution Defining and articulating system acceptance strategies and acceptance evidence demonstrating system performance across a wide range of operational scenarios to internal and external stakeholders Through these activities you will build your personal profile with senior stakeholders and grow a diverse knowledge base in engineering Your skills and experiences: Essential: A good understanding in some of the following subject areas; signal processing, target track extraction, object classification algorithms, system and sensor resource optimisation A good understanding of factors that can affect the real-world performance of sensing systems and how these can impact the accuracy and timeliness of measurements in order to meet challenging design objectives and requirements Demonstrates understanding and experience of Systems Engineering which could include knowledge of Systems Engineering standards (e.g., ISO 15288) Experience of presenting both technical and non-technical information in a formal setting Benefits: You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a Company contributed Share Incentive Plan. You’ll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and employee discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive. The Radar Systems Engineering team: You will be working as a Principal Systems Engineer within our close-knit multi-function radar team of inter-disciplinary engineers, evolving our radar portfolio of existing and brand-new radar products to address emerging and future threats. This role is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your skills and invest in your career journey within a global business. You will be supported in growing your knowledge in contemporary and cutting-edge Radar techniques, with opportunities to develop your skills and responsibilities in technical leadership. In this role, you will be able to enjoy both flexible and hybrid working arrangements. Our workplace in Cowes is an easily accessible commute from Southampton with a regular foot passenger ferry and BAE shuttle service from the ferry terminal to site. As the world has evolved, so has the way we work. Our working approach, will enable you to have flexibility with your working hours, depending on your role and location. This could include part time hours, accruing hours as well as flexibility around start and finish times, ensuring you can balance life at work, on site and life at home. Why BAE Systems? This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. 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: 26th September 2025 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. LI-JP1 LI-Hybrid
Locations
Principal Systems Engineer employer: BAE Systems
Contact Detail:
BAE Systems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Systems Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and technologies in radar systems. This will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the field, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence industry, especially those working with radar systems. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the challenges they face, which can give you an edge in discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've applied Systems Engineering principles in past projects. Being able to articulate your experience with real-world applications will showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Research BAE Systems' current projects and initiatives in radar technology. Tailoring your conversation to align with their goals and demonstrating how your skills can contribute to their success will make you stand out as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in Systems Engineering, particularly in areas like signal processing and system design analysis. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they relate to the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your enthusiasm for the role. Mention how your background aligns with the company's mission in the defence industry and your interest in developing radar systems.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your understanding of Systems Engineering principles and any experience with tools like IBM DOORS Next. Be specific about your technical skills and how they can contribute to the team.
Showcase Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working with multi-disciplinary teams, include examples of past collaborations with engineers from different fields. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems
✨Understand Systems Engineering Principles
Make sure you have a solid grasp of Systems Engineering principles, especially those relevant to radar systems. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these principles in past projects and how they can be used to tackle complex challenges.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Highlight your understanding of signal processing, target track extraction, and object classification algorithms. Be ready to explain how these concepts impact real-world performance and the accuracy of sensing systems.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to manage trade-offs in system design and your approach to system integration and testing. Think of examples from your experience where you successfully navigated these challenges.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working with various engineering disciplines, be prepared to discuss your experience collaborating with teams. Share specific instances where your teamwork led to successful project outcomes.