Principal Systems Engineer in Southampton
Principal Systems Engineer

Principal Systems Engineer in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team of Systems Engineers on innovative projects in defence research.
  • Company: Join a leading defence R&D organisation with a focus on groundbreaking innovations.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Chartered engineer or equivalent experience in systems engineering required.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a strong emphasis on team development and collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Thomas Search are delighted to be partnering with a leading defence research & development organisation who is looking for a Principal Systems Engineering Team Leader in Hampshire. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to work across ground-breaking innovations and be part of a growing professional community.

The Role

As a Principal Systems Engineer you will lead a team of Systems Engineers and operate working across multiple projects delivering your own portfolio of work. Day-to-day, you will assimilate a broad view of programmes, technical challenges and deliver systems engineering artefacts across multiple projects showing a deep interest in the effective productisation of science and technology.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Working with discipline and professional leads to shape toolsets, artefacts, training and best practice
  • Mentoring, peer reviewing and advising on professional best practice both directly and throughout your team
  • Setting, discussing and tracking individuals goals and performance, including gathering feedback, 121s and calibration activities
  • Advancing your teams professional skills, knowledge and behaviours
  • Applying deep or broad systems engineering principles and practices to engage with the team delivering on actions
  • Advising on suitable deployments for your team, Chief Engineers, Programme Leaders, resource Managers and related stakeholders as necessary

Essential experience of the Principal Systems Engineer:

  • Robust understanding of systems engineering and its application in the development of products
  • A strong knowledge of engineering toolset for managing complex systems developments
  • Previous experience operating as a Lead / Principal Systems Engineer on complex equipment development programmes delivering artefacts and leading teams
  • The ability to build effective, high performing teams and develop others including addressing behaviours where necessary
  • A deep or broad experience applying systems engineering principles and practices in line with competency frameworks
  • Demonstrable experience applying relevant standards and meeting regulatory requirements in engineering delivery

Essential qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer:

  • A chartered engineer or demonstrable experience

This role is 37 hours per week based in Farnborough, Hampshire. Hybrid working patterns are available with a realistic 2/3 days per week onsite. NB. Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK security clearances.

Principal Systems Engineer in Southampton employer: Thomas Search

Join a leading defence research and development organisation in Hampshire, where innovation meets opportunity. As a Principal Systems Engineer, you'll thrive in a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional growth and mentorship, allowing you to lead a talented team while engaging with cutting-edge technology. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a commitment to employee development, this role offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the field of systems engineering.
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Contact Detail:

Thomas Search Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

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

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Principal Systems Engineer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your systems engineering principles. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and tackled complex projects. We want to hear about your experiences and how they align with the role's requirements!

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your experience in mentoring and developing high-performing teams. They’ll be keen to see how you can contribute to their professional community.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to make an impact in the field of systems engineering.

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

Systems Engineering
Leadership
Mentoring
Performance Management
Engineering Toolset Knowledge
Complex Systems Development
Team Building
Stakeholder Engagement
Regulatory Compliance
Productisation of Science and Technology
Technical Problem Solving
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Chartered Engineer Status

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Principal Systems Engineer role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've worked on, as we want to see how you can contribute to our team.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about systems engineering and how your background aligns with our mission. Be sure to mention specific examples of your work that demonstrate your expertise.

Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your experience in mentoring and developing others. We love to see how you've built high-performing teams and tackled challenges together!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas Search

✨Know Your Systems Engineering Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your systems engineering principles and practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in complex equipment development programmes. This will show your depth of knowledge and experience.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and mentored others. Highlight specific instances where you've addressed behaviours or improved team dynamics.

✨Familiarise Yourself with the Company’s Projects

Research the organisation's current projects and innovations. Being able to discuss their work and how your skills can contribute will demonstrate your genuine interest and help you stand out as a candidate.

✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

Expect questions about your past experiences, particularly around goal setting, performance tracking, and feedback processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.

Principal Systems Engineer in Southampton
Thomas Search
Location: Southampton

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