At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative aircraft landing gear systems and collaborate with a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join Safran, a global leader in aerospace and defence, committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of Systems Engineering and experience with aircraft landing gear systems preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace, space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated 31.3 billion in revenue in 2025.
Safran Landing Systems is the world leader in landing gear, wheels & brakes, and associated systems for civil and military aircraft and helicopters. We master the entire lifecycle of our products, from design and manufacturing through to maintenance.
We are looking for passionate individuals to join our Engineering team as a Principal Systems Engineer at our Gloucester site. Safran Landing Systems are a global leader in aircraft landing and braking systems, covering the entire life cycle of our products from OEM Design, Engineering & Manufacturing, through to Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO).
Your Role: As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will ensure the successful development of aircraft landing gear systems—including structures, extension/retraction, hydraulics, and electrical harnesses—fully aligned with customer needs, regulatory requirements, and the Safran system development process. You will lead system development planning, requirements capture and analysis, validation and verification activities, and supplier management for equipment such as actuators, hydraulic hoses, and electrical harnessing. You will also provide leadership to junior and senior engineers within the team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting the definition of systems development plans aligned with Safran processes and ARP4754, in collaboration with the Systems Architecture Integration team.
- Ensuring adherence to systems development plans throughout the lifecycle.
- Managing requirements definition at system, sub system, and equipment levels—including customer, regulatory, and internal needs.
- Leading requirements validation from planning to documentation of validation evidence.
- Managing product verification, including planning, coordination of verification means, and documentation of verification evidence.
- Setting up and maintaining requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS Classic and DOORS NG.
- Producing systems engineering documentation including requirements, descriptions, validation/verification matrices, and DDP dossiers.
- Writing specifications for landing gear equipment (hydraulic actuators, hoses, electrical harnesses).
- Acting as a technical liaison with equipment suppliers.
- Providing technical leadership across the systems engineering team.
What You'll Bring:
Essential:- Strong understanding of Systems Engineering principles, with experience in requirements management, validation, and verification.
- Knowledge of aircraft landing gear systems (ATA32) or comparable complex aerospace systems.
- Ability to lead and influence stakeholders, supported by strong communication and collaborative leadership skills.
- Experience in mechanical engineering and hydraulics (actuators & hoses).
- Experience in electrical engineering.
- Knowledge of airworthiness and certification requirements.
- Familiarity with ARP4754 and ARP4761.
- Experience using IBM DOORS (Classic or NG).
- Knowledge of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
- Ability to review engineering documents such as reports, analyses, specifications, and requirements documentation.
- Previous engineering signatory experience.
- Ability to write clear and accurate technical reports.
- Willingness to work collaboratively across all engineering disciplines.
- General computer literacy and good written communication.
Location: Gloucester, UK
Principal Systems Engineer in Gloucester employer: Safran Group
At Safran, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our Gloucester site provides a supportive environment with flexible working options, competitive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional development, ensuring that every employee can thrive and contribute to our mission of crafting excellence in aerospace and defence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Systems Engineer in Gloucester
✨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 Safran Group 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 Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Safran Group, 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 Safran Group, 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 Safran Group
✨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 Safran Group.
✨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 Safran Group. 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 Safran Group love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
