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- Tasks: Lead the development of next-gen mission computing systems for military aircraft.
- Company: Join General Dynamics, a leader in defence and scientific innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and a compressed nine-day fortnight.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with a focus on career development and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace technology while shaping the future of military aviation.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex engineering systems and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 59200 - 80000 £ per year.
General Dynamics Mission Systems engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of more than 13,000 top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defence and scientific arenas. In the UK, we are leading the way in avionics and communication systems.
General Dynamics in St Leonards-on-Sea currently provide avionic mission computing systems for a wide range of military fast jets, helicopters, and UAVs. Recent success has resulted in General Dynamics developing the next generation of Advanced High Performance, Safety Critical Mission Computer Systems to meet the needs of latest platforms in development by several aircraft manufacturers. These Mission Computing Systems provide the functionality that integrates aircraft systems, sensor systems and stores management systems with the information and control systems required by the aircrew to meet the demanding operational needs of these aircraft.
We are recruiting Principal Systems Engineers who will play a pivotal role in the development and delivery of next-generation mission computing systems for military aircraft platforms. You will be responsible for the integrity and suitability of the design of next generation mission computing products and for leading the life‑cycle management of the product, including design reviews, verification, and qualification activities.
The Successful Candidate Will:
- Lead the development of system architectures, concepts of operation, and system design specifications for complex products.
- Act as design authority or technical decision maker for major system work packages.
- Lead requirements definition, flow‑down, optimisation, and traceability across the system lifecycle.
- Lead integration, verification, validation, and qualification for complex systems.
- Review and approve engineering documentation produced by project teams.
- Interface with customers to resolve complex technical challenges and influence system direction.
Qualifications:
- Experience delivering complex engineering systems.
- Expert knowledge of systems engineering methods and life‑cycle governance.
- Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS) and modelling environments (e.g., Rhapsody, PTC Modeler).
- Strong architectural thinking across hardware, software, firmware, mechanical and integration domains.
- Skilled in leading technical teams and coordinating multi-disciplinary engineering activities.
- Exceptional problem‑solving and technical judgement.
- Ability to support business development and shape technical solutions for bids.
- Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering or a related technical field; advanced degree desirable.
- Demonstrated leadership of major system work packages or cross‑discipline engineering teams.
- Experience working with defence, aerospace, maritime, or safety‑critical systems environments.
- Desirable: advanced qualifications in MBSE, airworthiness, safety, or chartership.
Additional Information:
This role has a salary of between £59,200 and £80,000 plus our flexible benefits package. We are open to this role being spent with time working from home and in the office (hybrid - typically 3 days working in office) on a weekly basis or fully in our offices. We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits:
- A compressed nine-day fortnight and compressed hours - which means every other Friday off.
- A personalized career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company.
- A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded with flexible benefits.
We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace - inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team! Our success is fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company. We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please email disabilityconfident@gd-ms.uk if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme. All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks. Every application matters to us. We want you to know that each application we receive is reviewed by a real person—not just an algorithm. Our screening questions are also carefully considered to help us understand your experience and fit for the role. We appreciate the time you take to apply.
Principal Systems Engineer employer: General Dynamics UK Limited
Contact Detail:
General Dynamics UK Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Systems Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at General Dynamics through LinkedIn or industry events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their projects. Familiarise yourself with their mission computing systems and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who gets what they do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Since they value exceptional technical judgement, be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios during interviews. Brush up on your systems engineering methods and be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied them in past roles.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the team at General Dynamics.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience in systems engineering methods and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially in defence or aerospace.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Be sure to mention your leadership experience and any specific achievements that demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to include your expertise with requirements management tools and modelling environments. If you have experience with DOORS or Rhapsody, make it stand out, as these are key for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at General Dynamics UK Limited
✨Know Your Systems Engineering Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your systems engineering methods and life-cycle governance. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex engineering systems and how you've applied architectural thinking across various domains. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory, but you can also apply it in real-world scenarios.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face some tricky technical questions during your interview. Think about past projects where you had to resolve complex challenges, especially in defence or aerospace environments. Be prepared to explain your problem-solving process and how you led your team through these challenges.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools and Environments
Since experience with requirements management tools like DOORS and modelling environments such as Rhapsody is crucial, make sure you can talk confidently about your proficiency with these tools. If you have any specific examples of how you’ve used them in previous roles, bring those up!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Systems Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead technical teams and coordinate multi-disciplinary activities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led major system work packages or cross-discipline teams, highlighting your leadership style and decision-making process.