Lead Mechanical Engineer – Hydraulics in Christchurch, Dorset

Location: Barrow-in-Furness or Coventry. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Up to £60,000

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the design of hydraulic systems, sub-systems and equipment for the next Royal Navy submarines.
• Undertake functional design activities, modelling and analysis.
• Produce design documentation, Verification & Validation evidence and safety justifications.
• Support specification qualification and procurement of components, working collaboratively with suppliers.
• Engaging with stakeholders across the cross‑functional project team.
• Driving engineering governance through peer reviews and design reviews.

Your skills and experiences:

Essential:

• Experience in the design of hydraulic systems – ideally in complex, safety‑critical environments (e.g. maritime, aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas and sub‑sea).
• Familiarity with systems and equipment involving hydraulic power units (HPUs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), control cabinets, pumps, electric motors, hydraulic actuators, hydro‑static transmissions and fluid mechanics.
• Proven capability in system lifecycle delivery – from concept through to commissioning.
• Demonstrated leadership – either through technical direction, mentoring, or project ownership.
• Chartered engineer or working towards professional accreditation.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of platform‑level constraints such as noise, shock, or survivability.
• Previous engagement with suppliers or stakeholders on hydraulic systems (of hydraulic control logic is desirable, e.g. Variable Frequency Drive solutions).

Benefits:

• Competitive pension scheme.
• Employee share plans.
• Extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts.
• Eligible for an annual incentive.

The Hydraulics team: As a Lead Mechanical Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of submarine hydraulic and actuation systems. This includes system‑level design, technical leadership, supplier engagement, and the opportunity to steer design architecture across a major submarine programme. 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 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.

Closing Date: 28th November 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.