Principal Systems Engineer in Portsmouth

About The Company

Join BAE Systems and become part of a global leader in defense, aerospace, and security solutions. With a rich history of innovation and excellence, BAE Systems is committed to delivering advanced technology-led products and services that safeguard nations and enhance security worldwide. Our diverse portfolio spans from maritime and land systems to aerospace and cyber capabilities, providing our employees with opportunities to work on impactful projects that shape the future. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where talent, creativity, and dedication are valued, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our mission of protecting what matters most.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Systems Engineer to join our team at Portsmouth Naval Base. This pivotal role is situated within the Systems Engineering Hub, part of the Warship Technical Authority Service Hub, which provides comprehensive support for naval systems and equipment throughout their lifecycle. In this capacity, you will lead and manage complex systems engineering projects, ensuring the delivery of tailored solutions that meet contractual and operational requirements. Your expertise will support the Asset Management Service Hubs, including warship Platform Management, Maintenance Management, Supply Chain, Data, and Digital Services. As a technical authority, you will provide leadership, mentoring, and strategic guidance to engineering teams, fostering innovation and excellence in systems engineering practices.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess a degree in a STEM or systems-related discipline, or have equivalent professional experience. You should be actively working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or operating at that level of capability. Proven experience in applying systems engineering principles across the entire lifecycle—including requirements management, architecture definition, integration, and verification & validation is essential. Familiarity with high-level design methodologies and architectures such as UAF, NAF, TOGAF, SysML, and UML, along with practical skills in MBSE tools like Enterprise Architect, is required. Knowledge of systems engineering standards, particularly ISO 15288, and experience with requirements and interface management tools such as DOORS, will be highly advantageous. Strong leadership capabilities, with the ability to guide and mentor engineering teams, are also essential.

Responsibilities

As a Principal Systems Engineer, your core responsibilities will include understanding complex problem spaces, defining system architectures, and establishing clear success criteria. You will be responsible for maintaining system interfaces, recording key decisions, and supporting bids and concept studies with robust, evidence-based architectures. Collaborating with stakeholders to capture, decompose, and agree on requirements, you will set acceptance criteria and ensure end-to-end traceability throughout projects. Championing Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), you will set modeling standards, utilize appropriate toolsets, and generate outputs that support design, verification, and compliance activities. You will break down ambiguous, multi-domain problems into manageable, testable elements, defining abstraction levels and interfaces to control scope and visualize dependencies. Tailoring the engineering lifecycle, you will plan progressive integration, prepare teams for design reviews, and drive verification and validation activities to ensure on-time, high-quality delivery. You will also lead systems integration efforts, collaborating with other disciplines within WTA to achieve seamless system performance. Acting as a technical expert, you will lead technical reviews, ensure adherence to safety and security standards, and contribute to assurance and accreditation processes. Furthermore, you will own and deliver multiple concurrent work packages, defining statements of work, managing risks, resolving conflicts, and ensuring technical excellence. Mentoring and coaching engineers, you will promote best practices in systems engineering and support capability development across teams. Your leadership will be instrumental in enhancing the effectiveness and maturity of systems engineering processes within the organization.

Benefits

• At BAE Systems, we are committed to supporting our employees’ growth and well-being.
• We offer competitive salaries, with this role up to £57,000 depending on skills and experience.
• Our flexible and hybrid working arrangements enable a healthy work-life balance, tailored to individual needs.
• Employees benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities, including training and mentoring programs, to help advance their careers.
• We also provide comprehensive health and wellbeing support, pension schemes, and various employee assistance programs.
• Our inclusive culture foster diversity and belonging, ensuring everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
• Recognitions, rewards, and opportunities for career progression are integral to our approach, making BAE Systems a place where your skills and dedication are truly appreciated.

Equal Opportunity

BAE Systems is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We believe that a diverse workforce enhances innovation and drives better business outcomes. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to succeed and thrive within our organization.

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