Power System Engineer in Southampton

Prismatic is a technology development company, specialising in the design, manufacture and delivery of innovative, high value aerospace products and systems. Prismatic is a subsidiary of BAE Systems, led by a technically and commercially focused team. Our cutting-edge systems (such as the high-altitude PHASA-35) have clear commercial value, are developed at pace and address critical customer needs.

We are currently looking for a Power Systems Engineer to join Prismatic Ltd. based in Alton. This will be an exciting opportunity to join a well-established, but growing, team working on exciting new Unmanned Air Vehicles. You will be supporting the development of advanced electrical power systems for cutting-edge unmanned aerial platforms. The successful candidate will play a key role in defining and implementing power architectures for UAV applications — including electric and hybrid-electric propulsion technologies. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the future of autonomous aviation, energy-efficient flight, and next-generation mission capabilities.

Tasks and Accountabilities

• Responsible for design and development of DC Power Generation, storage, and management systems.
• Generation of integrated requirements and test strategies including functional, integrity and performance requirements across systems including software.
• Test and evaluation of power systems at unit level to full system integration.
• Test report generation and analysis of test data.
• Deployment on Flight Trials to lead and support battery/power generation integration and testing as required.
• Problem solving/fault finding of DC electrical systems at a system/unit level.
• Generation of assembly documentation/processes to assist manufacturing with the build.

Qualifications/Experience

• Degree in Electrical, Aerospace, or Mechatronic Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• At least 5 years proven industry experience with DC power systems.
• Experience in the design and analysis of aircraft or UAV electrical power systems.
• Understanding of DC Power System architecture, ideally within the HALE domain or Automotive.
• Understanding of energy storage systems such as Li-ion, solid-state batteries, or hydrogen fuel cells.
• Understand methodology of battery charge/discharge characteristics.
• Familiarity with aerospace standards and practices (e.g., Def Stan 00-970, STANAGs, DO-160, ARP4754A).
• Knowledge of UAV-specific challenges including SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) constraints, autonomous operation, and distributed architectures.
• Understanding of safety and certification principles of DC power systems.
• Generation of assembly documentation/process.
• Design for manufacture experience essential.
• Ability to work with third party companies to manufacture or certify products.
• Ability to manage own workload both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to independently manage packages of work managing technicians and suppliers to meet programme timescales.
• Strong problem-solving, communication (written and verbal), and systems-thinking skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Desirable

• Experience of novel R&D programs, ideally with challenging ‘cutting edge’ technology.
• Experience of large UAV development.
• Experience of building vehicles, robots, or other complex systems.
• Proficient in modelling and simulation tools e.g. MATLAB, Python, or similar high-level languages.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working towards professional registration (desirable).
• Familiarity with UAV certification frameworks (e.g., CAP722, EASA SC-Light UAS, MAA regulations).
• Hands-on experience in lab testing and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems.
• Experience in defence or dual-use UAV applications.
• Experience with electric or hybrid-electric propulsion systems for UAVs or eVTOL platforms.

What We Offer

We’re proud to offer a competitive package and a range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing, including:

• Location: Alton (Hampshire), UK.
• Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks). Hybrid working (where applicable), giving you the flexibility to balance time between home and our offices (norm is 3 days a week).
• Salary: £50,000 – £59,000 – dependent on experience.
• Bonus: Non contractual company performance related bonus.
• Pension: 10% company contribution, plus salary exchange options for AVCs.
• Green Benefits: Access to our Green Car/EV scheme via salary exchange.
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (rising to 28 days after 3 years’ service).
• Employee Schemes: Eligibility for the BAE Systems Share Incentive Scheme, Company Performance Free Share awards, Cycle to Work scheme, and a Halfords Trade Discount Card.
• Community & Culture: Social and employee engagement activities through our Prismatic Pulse group.
• Wellbeing: Access to Occupational Health support, including an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and a covering email to . In your application, please confirm:

• That you have the right to work in the UK and can commute to the job’s location of work.
• That you have been a UK resident for at least 5 years and can meet any required background checks (or security clearance requirements where applicable).
• Your salary expectations for the role.
• Your availability or current notice period.

Proud to Support the Armed Forces Community

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and holders of the Bronze Award, demonstrating our commitment to supporting those who serve and have served. We recognise that the discipline, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and resilience gained through military life are a huge asset to our organisation. That’s why we actively encourage applications from veterans, reservists, and the partners and families of those serving. If you’ve served in any capacity, or supported someone who has, we’d love to hear from you.

AGENCIES – PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ONLY RECRUIT DIRECTLY