Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 55000 - 68000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop systems for military aircraft and collaborate with multi-functional teams.
  • Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in defence technology with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
  • Other info: Opportunities for mentoring, leadership, and excellent career growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of defence technology while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Honours degree or equivalent experience in systems engineering required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 68000 £ per year.

Are you looking to advance your career and work on technology that will shape the future of defence? Does working on developing systems for current and future military aircraft sound like a challenge that would be of interest? If you have skills in systems engineering and five years UK residency, we are looking for engineers to join us at Leonardo in Bristol in a predominantly office and laboratory-based role.

What you’ll do as a Systems Engineer:

  • Development of Integration and Test Plans
  • Control of Parts and Documentation, including change management
  • Collaboration with multi-functional teams on system and sub-system development
  • Work with suppliers, integrators, and users across the UK

Our Systems Engineers work in multidisciplinary teams spanning a range of activities pulling together the necessary engineering and technology strands into a high-performance system, bridging the gap between the theoretically possible and the practically implementable.

Examples of Work:

  • Engaging with stakeholders, defining requirements for a new system
  • Conducting cost and functional performance trade-offs and evaluation of proposed solutions
  • Integrating new functionality into an existing system
  • Development of capability within limitations and constraints of the target hardware
  • Root-cause analysis of anomalies observed during integration or evaluation activities
  • Designing and conducting testing and trials to prove equipment function and performance
  • Opportunities to lead technical activities and initiatives
  • Mentoring and coaching other engineers
  • Creating and delivering reports, presentations and proposals to customers and industry partners
  • Supporting knowledge sharing and exploitation of good practice

What you’ll bring:

  • A science-based Honours degree or equivalent experience
  • Experience or a desire to gain electronic warfare domain knowledge
  • Knowledge of the systems engineering lifecycle, particularly in the following areas:
    • Problem definition
    • Requirements engineering, including the use of IBM DOORS
    • Systems Architecture
    • Integration, Test and Evaluation
    • Verification and Validation

It would be desirable if you had experience from some of the following:

  • Experience of working with related specialisms such as safety, security, airworthiness or reliability
  • Domain-specialist knowledge such as:
    • Digital signal processing
    • RF systems
    • Multi-sensor data fusion and tracking
    • Real time data simulation/generation
    • Military Electronic systems
    • Data analysis using AI or Machine Learning
    • Operational Experience in Electronic Intelligence or Electronic Warfare

Security Clearance:

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), along with an additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV), including meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). Due to the nature of the work and its connections to UK Defence strategy, applicants must have five years UK Residency and hold a UK Passport.

Salary Range:

Principal Engineer £55,000 to £68,000. Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

Why join us:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

  • Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
  • Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
  • Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
  • Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
  • Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
  • Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
  • Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Primary Location: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Onsite

Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol employer: Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

At Leonardo in Bristol, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of our employees. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, an award-winning pension scheme, and access to over 4,000 online courses, we foster a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation in the defence sector. Join us to be part of a team that not only shapes the future of military technology but also values your contributions and personal development.

Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

Contact Details:

Leonardo Worldwide Corporation Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Leonardo Worldwide Corporation for a Principal Systems Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

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

Systems Engineering
Integration and Test Planning
Change Management
Requirements Engineering
IBM DOORS
Systems Architecture
Verification and Validation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Leonardo Worldwide Corporation, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Leonardo Worldwide Corporation, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo Worldwide Corporation

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Leonardo Worldwide Corporation.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Leonardo Worldwide Corporation. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Leonardo Worldwide Corporation love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.