Principal Research Engineer - Systems Engineering in Bristol

Principal Research Engineer - Systems Engineering in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 60000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
G

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative systems engineering projects and shape the future of flight technology.
  • Company: Join a pioneering aerospace company at the Global Technology Centre in Bristol.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 15% bonus, flexible hours, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace with cutting-edge technologies and a collaborative team.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in systems engineering and experience with tools like Codebeamer.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.

Job Summary

Based at our Global Technology Centre Bristol we are looking for a Principal Engineer with a strong background in Systems Engineering to help shape the future of flight.

Our aim is to deploy a modern systems engineering ethos across the broad domains within the portfolio (Software, Controls, Structures, Prototyping, Electrical & Cryogenic systems).

Working in advancing technologies developing the key underpinning physics but also the methods, capabilities and evidence to support our prototypes, we want a dynamic and experienced individual to help us.

This role offers hybrid working.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide technical leadership across the full technology engineering lifecycle using Systems Engineering methods appropriate to our needs.
  • Evolve and grow our capability embedding this into each discipline within the portfolio and beyond to stakeholders and customers.
  • Ensure that systems engineering principles are applied consistently across the portfolio of programmes.
  • Champion the use of Model Based Enterprise toolsets to better manage technical projects, knowledge and progress.
  • System Engineering leadership championing a systems thinking across the whole portfolio to align teams into a common alignment with the concept of Best Fit; act as a technical authority and mentor across the portfolio in conjunction with the Tech Authority.
  • Manage reports and take responsibility for capability growth.
  • Define and maintain a Systems Engineering Framework that aligns to technology development in aerospace and is tailored for the organisation's portfolio.
  • Champion the use of Codebeamer as the tool for requirements capture and decomposition, agile tasking across teams, dashboard compliance reporting for safety, quality, and regulatory requirements, wiki knowledge management.
  • Coach, support and develop the systems personnel reporting to the Principal Systems Engineer, including career progression, annual appraisals and clear goal setting.
  • Develop a strategic plan for delivery of key systems programme aims.
  • What You'll Bring
  • Expert in systems engineering lifecycle (ISO/IEC 15288, INCOSE) with experience in MBSE (e. g. Sys ML).
  • Hands‑on experience using Codebeamer (or similar tools) for requirements management, traceability, and reporting.
  • Strong knowledge of requirements elicitation, decomposition, interface management, V&V planning, especially in a technical development environment.
  • Framework & Process Development – Proven track record in defining and deploying SE frameworks across programmes, including championing change and mind‑set development across teams and disciplines.
  • Ability to integrate tools (e. g., Codebeamer, modelling environments) into a coherent digital‑thread approach.
  • Experienced in leading and mentoring cross‑functional engineering teams.
  • Has good interpersonal and communication skills and can translate to a variety of audiences.

Is confident and able to represent their project(s)/function/discipline in internal/external environment.

  • Education & Professional Standing – STEM degree with significant experience in systems engineering, Chartered Engineer (CEng), INCOSE CSEP/ESEP, or equivalent.
  • What We’ll Offer
  • Competitive salary dependent on experience.
  • Up to 15% bonus.
  • Industry leading pension scheme – well match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (Employer max contribution 12%).
  • Life assurance 8 × salary.
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
  • Flexible working hours, including the ability to finish at 12 noon on a Friday.
  • Income protection.
  • Shopping discounts.
  • Cycle to work scheme.
  • Employee assistance programme.
  • Virtual GP clinic for you and immediate family.
  • Equal Opportunities

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.

We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment.

Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging we have created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

G

Contact Details:

GKN Plc Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Research Engineer - Systems Engineering in Bristol

Systems Engineering
Technical Leadership
Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
SysML
Requirements Management
Codebeamer
Interface Management