Principal Engineer - Software Assurance

Location: Coventry, hybrid – 3 days/week on site

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £60,000 DOE

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future for all of us.

You will be a technical leader working in the software assurance team. You will work with system designers and our suppliers to ensure the safety, quality and reliability of the delivered products. You will ensure that the boat’s safety and functional requirements are met and that risk is identified and managed.

Core duties:

• Contribute to software assurance strategy and lead its application, applying engineering judgement across complex, software-intensive systems.
• Plan and lead software assurance activities, including technical reviews, audits, inspections, assessments and test witnessing.
• Critically assess software plans, requirements, architectures, designs and verification evidence against risks, requirements and applicable standards.
• Influence engineering decisions across the lifecycle, working with developers, system designers, suppliers and other engineering disciplines.
• Assess software risk and assurance evidence, providing authoritative conclusions and recommendations to customers, engineering authorities and senior leadership.
• Lead by example increasing software assurance capability, mentoring engineers and advancing standards, methods, tools and engineering practice.

Essential Skills:

• Logical thinker with the ability to pragmatically resolve problems and bring stakeholders onboard with the resolution.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of Software Assurance Methods and processes, including audit and review.
• Understanding of the application of software engineering, security, quality and safety standards including Defence Standard 00-055, BS EN 61508, BS EN 61511, DO-178B/C, DO-254 and DO-331.
• There are large number of software types and includes programmable electronics. Detailed knowledge of all types is not required, but a good understanding of the principles of the software lifecycle and the application to other types of software is critical to the role.
• Understanding of Systems engineering lifecycle and how this relates to software.

The Software Assurance team:

Our complex platforms are increasingly driven by Software, assuring the quality of this and the proper integration is critical to our success. Software assurance is the ongoing process to ensure that software products meet and comply with software engineering, quality and safety standards. It is a systems engineering activity that supports the achievement of functional and multiple non-functional requirements and is applicable to the whole engineering lifecycle from concept design to in service support. This is a growing role within our business and industry with significant potential for development and further growth.

We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

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: 17th November 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.