At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical design decisions and oversee integration for innovative systems.
- Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in defence technology with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, health perks, and employee share plans.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while collaborating with a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in network/software engineering and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Relocation support available and commitment to inclusive recruitment processes.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer
Location: Frimley. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role
Salary: Negotiable dependant on experience
What you’ll be doing:
- Provide oversight and technical ownership of CCS design, leading design decisions and supporting the Engineering Manager in delivering in-service programmes
- Ensure technical leadership by controlling project scope, managing design changes, and engaging stakeholders and suppliers to identify risks early
- Lead programme-level design reviews, coordinate stakeholders, manage design baselines and voids, and produce Certificates of Design while ensuring design governance
- Review and influence technical requirements and architectural design to ensure system integration, covering sub-systems and specialist domains for subcontractor design, development, and qualification
- Provide specialist knowledge and subject matter expertise in the integration, validation and verification of systems
Your skills and experiences:
Essential:
- Extensive experience in network or software engineering, ideally with a background in operations
- Ability to take the lead on technical matters and provide expert guidance
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards
- Specialist expertise in Combat Systems, particularly in relation to submarines, would be advantageous
- Familiarity with DOORS and prior hands-on experience using it
- Proven experience in change management processes
Desirable:
- Systems Engineering (INCOSE) qualifications
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 team:
You will be joining the In-Service Programme team, working on the V Class, where you’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, delivering high-quality results within tight enterprise timelines. As part of a medium-sized core team of 6-12, you’ll also collaborate with a wider group of around 30, engaging with a broad stakeholder network. This role demands strong technical leadership, owning challenges, proactively solving problems, and working with the right stakeholders to drive solutions forward. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
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: 11th March 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.
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Principal Systems Engineer (Frimley) employer: BAE Systems.
Contact Detail:
BAE Systems. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Systems Engineer (Frimley)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at BAE Systems on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around Combat Systems and systems integration. We want to show them we’re the go-to expert they need.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our leadership skills! Be ready to discuss past experiences where we’ve led projects or teams. BAE loves a candidate who can take charge and drive solutions forward.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our application status easily!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Systems Engineer (Frimley)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in network or software engineering. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Principal Systems Engineer, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role requires strong technical leadership, be sure to include examples of how you've taken charge in previous projects. We love seeing candidates who can own challenges and drive solutions forward, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past.
Highlight Relevant Tools and Processes: If you have experience with DOORS or change management processes, make it known! We’re looking for candidates who can hit the ground running, so mentioning these tools will definitely give you an edge in your application.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get your application in through our website as soon as you can to avoid missing out!
How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Systems.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around network and software engineering. Be ready to discuss your experience with Combat Systems and how it relates to submarines, as this will show you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've taken the lead on technical matters in past projects. Highlight your ability to manage design changes and engage stakeholders effectively, as this is crucial for the Principal Systems Engineer position.
✨Familiarise Yourself with DOORS
Since familiarity with DOORS is essential, make sure you can talk about your hands-on experience with it. If you have any specific examples of how you've used it in change management processes, be ready to share those.
✨Engage with the Team Culture
BAE Systems values an inclusive culture, so be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to that environment. Think about your experiences working in diverse teams and how you can bring different perspectives to the table.