Principal Engineer - Systems - Hardware

• Job Title: Principal Engineer - Systems - Hardware
• Location: Broad Oak , hybrid - 3 days per week on site
• We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role
• Referral Scheme: £1000
• Grade: GG11
• 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.

What you’ll be doing

The position holder will undertake a Hardware Systems Engineering role, leading the design, integration, verification and acceptance of the hardware solutions. The role will provide technical leadership throughout the engineering lifecycle, supporting requirements capture, design development, testing, problem resolution and customer delivery activities. Working under the direction of the Hardware System Design Authority, the position holder will ensure engineering activities are conducted in accordance with applicable processes, quality requirements and engineering standards.

Core duties

• Lead the design, integration and acceptance of hardware and system solutions, ensuring compliance with customer, technical and project requirements.
• Produce and maintain engineering documentation including design definitions, interface documentation, procurement specifications, Bills of Materials, test procedures and installation instructions.
• Plan, support and evaluate verification, validation, environmental testing activities, ensuring designs are fully qualified and fit for purpose.
• Provide technical leadership through engineering decision making, problem resolution, mentoring and support to engineering governance activities across multiple programmes

Essential skills

Degree qualified in an engineering, technology or science-related discipline, with Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or demonstrable progress towards professional registration.

Demonstrable experience in the design, integration, verification and acceptance of complex hardware and systems solutions, including COTS equipment, cabinet solutions, power distribution, environmental qualification and EMC compliance.

Strong understanding of the engineering lifecycle, requirements management, configuration control and verification activities, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, resolve complex technical issues and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.

The Hardware Capability Team

The team provides hardware engineering oversight across Combat Systems programmes. Covering activities from concept and design, through procurement, manufacture and acceptance, to customer delivery, the team develops mission-critical equipment and systems. The team works across multiple programmes, functions and external partners to deliver innovative hardware solutions and drive continuous improvement.

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: 27thNovember 2026, interviews for this role will take place w/c 7th December

We are currently accepting speculative referrals for specific skillsets (roles based in the UK). Click here to find out more. All Privacy rights will be protected.

Make a speculative referral

If this advert states that this role is eligible for the UK referral scheme, but there is no link here to make a referral for this specific vacancy, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk who will be able to advise.