Principal Systems Engineer in Bristol

We’re building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience. At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions are built to support mission critical operations in remote or high‑pressure settings.

About the role

We’re looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the design and integration of complex systems across our programmes. You’ll own major elements of a system—defining architecture, driving integration, and ensuring the capability works end‑to‑end. You’ll work closely with users, engineers and partners to de‑risk delivery, resolve system challenges, and ensure solutions are technically robust and operationally effective. Across the business we’re working on challenges including soldier systems, C4I integration programmes, AI/ML capabilities, and new product development. These programmes combine software, hardware, networks and data, often operating in denied, disrupted or constrained environments. We value practical engineering and sound judgement. You’ll use the right tools and level of process for the problem at hand—leveraging modern tooling and automation where it helps, while ensuring the right level of technical assurance. Experience working across waterfall, agile, iterative and spiral delivery approaches is important, as is the ability to work with a range of stakeholders across engineering teams, partners and users. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role. You’ll guide engineering decisions, mentor other engineers, and take ownership of key parts of a programme while remaining close to the engineering work. Our culture values clarity, pace and engineering judgement. We focus on user needs, communicate openly and work collaboratively to deliver meaningful capability. This role requires a minimum of 3 days per week on‑site at our Bristol HQ. There will also be occasional travel to customer sites. Candidates must be willing to obtain a UKNSV security clearance, with SC clearance being essential.

Key areas of responsibility

• Owning and leading the systems engineering design and integration of major system elements within complex programmes, ensuring capabilities perform reliably end‑to‑end.
• Developing and maintaining system architectures, interface definitions and integration plans for the areas you are responsible for.
• Acting as the technical go‑to for your system area, guiding engineering decisions and helping teams navigate complex system‑level challenges.
• Applying pragmatic systems engineering across the V‑cycle, balancing appropriate engineering rigour with the pace required to deliver operational capability.
• Working closely with software, hardware, RF, networking and infrastructure teams to design, integrate and deliver multidisciplinary systems.
• Identifying and managing technical risks, system dependencies and integration challenges, using experimentation, modelling and testing to de‑risk delivery.
• Working directly with users, partners and stakeholders to ensure systems meet operational needs and perform effectively in real‑world environments.
• Mentoring engineers and contributing to the continuous improvement of Rowden’s systems engineering practices, tooling and ways of working.

Key skills, experience and behaviours

• In‑depth knowledge and experience in the practical application of model‑based and agile systems engineering tools and techniques.
• Experience across the full systems engineering lifecycle using a range of development approaches.
• A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant engineering or technical subject.
• Experience working across software, hardware and networked systems.
• Track record of effectively mentoring and coaching team members.
• Extensive experience working within delivery teams to ensure successful outcomes in challenging and complex projects.
• Proven analytical thinker, problem solver and decision maker with strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of supporting all levels of the organisation.

Highly Desirable Experience

• A background in regulated sectors delivering complex connected systems, such as defence, national security, telecommunications, financial services, or automotive industries.
• Designing, deploying and supporting solutions to/at the far‑edge in denied, disrupted, intermittent or lossy communication environments.
• Chartered Engineer status.

About you

• Pragmatism: You will adopt a decisive, precise and pragmatic approach to both delivery and the development of systems capability, effectively considering the holistic risk/reward balance.
• Attention to detail: You will have a quality mind‑set and be in the detail, providing objective assurance of systems activities building high levels of trust and autonomy within the team.
• Operational expertise: You will have the experience in delivery, such as making the mistakes, going too‑light or too‑heavy on process and tools, understanding the real‑world complexity and consequences of difficult trade‑offs etc., to lead, direct, inform, mentor and coach members of the systems team.
• Communication Skills: You can explain complex engineering information clearly and persuasively to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, in a fast‑paced environment.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are! We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid‑working model, with an average of 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part‑time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants. Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible. Finally, if you feel that you don’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!