At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Principal Systems Engineer, tackling exciting radar system challenges daily.
- Company: BAE Systems is a global leader in defence, committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pension, enhanced leave, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while growing your skills in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: A solid grasp of systems engineering principles and relevant technical knowledge is essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours and hybrid working options available, with a focus on collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Put yourself into a dynamic Principal Systems Engineering role at the forefront of real world demands in the defence industry. You will be developing current and next generation radar products to counter emerging threats and gain an advantage in the strategic Future Air Dominance domain. 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:
- Develop novel solutions to evolving technical challenges and emerging issues for complex Multi-Function Radar Systems that our customers and end-user communities are facing.
- Apply a breadth of knowledge, skills and experience of Systems Engineering principles, techniques and governance to steer and develop technical solutions and resolve engineering issues.
- Conduct system design analysis to manage trade-offs of system parameters to characterise and specify robust product design.
- Lead 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.
- Collaborate with specialists across different engineering disciplines including electronics, electrical, mechanical and software to direct and realise overarching system design solutions.
- Direct and undertake system integration, test planning and execution.
- Define and articulate 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 Software 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 in the realm of Future Air Dominance. 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. However, because of the importance and security classification of the projects you will be involved in, there will be a regular requirement for you to work on site so you can collaborate closely with the rest of your team.
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: 19th June 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.
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 and defence engineering. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the defence industry, especially those working in systems engineering. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to make connections that could lead to referrals or insider information about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific projects or experiences where you've applied Systems Engineering principles. Be ready to explain how you tackled complex challenges and what outcomes you achieved, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Research BAE Systems' current projects and values. Understanding their mission and recent developments will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how your skills align with their goals, making you a more attractive 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 radar systems or similar fields. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the defence industry and your understanding of the challenges faced in radar technology. Mention specific skills and experiences that align with the job requirements.
Showcase Technical Skills: In your application, emphasise your technical skills related to signal processing, system design analysis, and any experience with tools like IBM DOORS Next. Provide examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles.
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working with interdisciplinary teams, include examples of past collaborations with engineers from different disciplines. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems .
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what a Principal Systems Engineer does, especially in the context of radar systems. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and technologies mentioned in the job description, such as signal processing and system design analysis.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Systems Engineering principles and standards like ISO 15288. Highlight any relevant projects where you've applied these principles, particularly in complex engineering environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about how you would approach evolving technical challenges or system integration issues, and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working with various engineering disciplines, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with teams across different specialisations to achieve common goals.