At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise innovative hardware solutions for cutting-edge technology.
- Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in defence and aerospace innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible health benefits, and employee share plans.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety-critical projects with a diverse team.
- Qualifications: Degree in electronics engineering and experience in digital/analogue technologies.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and offers excellent career progression.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Rochester
Salary: £55,000 to £65,000 per annum
What you’ll be doing:
- Executing complex hardware design tasks in accordance with the hardware development plan, whilst meeting agreed timescales and allocated budgets
- Conducting hardware requirements capture, preliminary design, detailed design including a range of analysis tasks
- Adopting an innovative approach to design and identifying improvements to working practices
- Working with other disciplines within an integrated team to optimise solutions and minimise impacts from dependencies
- Providing technical guidance and support to the development and delivery of all aspects of digital &/or analogue electronics solutions
- Coaching & developing the skills of junior team members
- Delivering design artefacts in accordance with company and industry standards
Your skills and experiences:
Essential:
- Degree/HND in electronics engineering or an equivalent qualification
- Proven knowledge and experience of digital &/or analogue electronics technologies
- Experience of working through the engineering development lifecycle, from concept to product certification
- Ability to demonstrate a good appreciation of cost and schedule constraints on designs, to meet programme needs
- Capable of providing robust engineering judgement in all phases of the engineering development lifecycle.
- Robust understanding of product design and work package control
Desirable:
- Mentor Graphics Expedition Enterprise
- Analogue simulations tools, such as Simetrix or Spice
- System development tools, such as Enterprise Architect, Matlab, Simulink
Benefits:
As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.
The Hardware Team:
As a Senior/ Principal Hardware Engineer you will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team to formulate and optimise innovative hardware engineering solutions, for products such as Helmet Mounted & Head-Up Displays, Mission Computers, Flight Controls, Active Inceptors, and other associated safety-critical technology. This role will provide you with the opportunity to work with innovating cutting-edge projects as a member of a very experienced diverse team, with the view to progressing your career in this industry.
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: 18th February 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.
Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer (Aylesford) employer: BAE Systems
Contact Detail:
BAE Systems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer (Aylesford)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their products and recent innovations. We want you to show them that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills and be ready to demonstrate your expertise during interviews. Whether it’s through coding challenges or design discussions, we need you to showcase your problem-solving abilities and innovative thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at BAE Systems. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer (Aylesford)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with digital and analogue electronics. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex hardware design tasks in the past. We love innovative thinkers, so share any unique approaches you’ve taken to overcome challenges.
Highlight Teamwork Experience: Since you'll be working in a multidisciplinary team, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to collaborate. Mention any experiences where you’ve worked with other disciplines to optimise solutions and minimise dependencies.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our amazing team at BAE Systems!
How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems
✨Know Your Hardware Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of digital and analogue electronics technologies. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those that align with the complex hardware design tasks mentioned in the job description.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, highlight instances where you've adopted innovative approaches to design or identified improvements in working practices. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively, which is essential for this role.
✨Understand the Engineering Development Lifecycle
Be ready to talk about your experience throughout the engineering development lifecycle, from concept to product certification. Use examples to illustrate how you've managed cost and schedule constraints while delivering high-quality designs.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since you'll be working within a multidisciplinary team, it's crucial to convey your ability to collaborate effectively. Share experiences where you've provided technical guidance or coached junior team members, showcasing your leadership skills and commitment to team success.