Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer

Job Title: Senior/ Principal Hardware Engineer

Location: Rochester - Onsite

Referral Bonus: £2000

Grade: 8

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptionalindividual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

This role involves executing complex hardware design tasks in line with the agreed development plan, ensuring delivery within defined timescales and budgets. You will work within established engineering processes and hardware standards, contributing to high‑quality, reliable design outputs. Stronganalytical capability and a structured approach to problem‑solving are essential.

In addition, you will lead hardware requirements capture, preliminary design, and detailed design activities, carrying out a range of analysis tasks to validate technical decisions. The role encourages an innovative mindset, identifying opportunities to enhance design efficiency and improve working practices.

Core duties

• Working with other disciplines within an integrated team to optimise solutions and minimise impacts from dependencies
• Providing technical guidance and support to the development and delivery of all aspects of digital &/or analogue electronics solutions
• Coaching & developing the skills of junior team members

Essential Skills

• A Degree/HND or equivalent experience in electronics engineering
• Proven knowledge and experience of digital &/or analogue electronics technologies
• Experience of working through the engineering development lifecycle, from concept to product certification (Such as DO-254)
• Ability to demonstrate a good appreciation of cost and schedule constraints on designs, to meet programme needs
• Robust understanding of product design and work package control
• Familiarity with Mentor Graphics Expedition Enterprise, Simetrix, LT Spice tools

The Hardware Team

As a Senior/ Principal Hardware Engineer you will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team to formulate and optimise innovative hardware engineering solutions, for products such as Helmet Mounted & Head-Up Displays, Mission Computers, Flight Controls, Active Inceptors, and other associated safety-critical technology.

This role will provide you with the opportunity to work with innovating cutting-edge projects as a member of a very experienced diverse team, with the view to progressing your career in this industry.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicantsmust as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicantsmust typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 11th November 2026

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