Principal Combat Systems Engineer

Job Title: Principal Combat Systems Engineer

Location: Portsmouth Naval Base & Portsmouth Broad Oak – hybrid pattern of 3/4 days on site

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Up to £57,100 depending on skills and experience + bonus scheme

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role description:

Within the Warship Technical Authority, WTA, you will provide engineering support to programmes and projects across Warship Support, including Royal Navy surface ship contracts, international naval support, and internal and external consultancy activity.

As a Principal Combat Systems Engineer, you will support the delivery of one or more of the core WTA service elements; Design Change Management, Platform Technical Assurance, Material State Management, Obsolescence Management, Specialist Engineering Support, Future Support and Transformation Planning.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior engineer to support the integration and assurance of advanced Combat Systems across Royal Navy and international naval platforms. Experience, knowledge, or a keen technical interest in Sonar Systems would be particularly beneficial, although applications are welcomed from candidates with broader Combat Systems engineering backgrounds.

Core duties:

• Providing Combat Systems engineering support across naval platforms, international programmes and multidisciplinary projects
• Maintaining Combat Systems design integrity, ensuring effective integration across platforms, programmes and engineering disciplines
• Supporting design change implementation, configuration control and safe integration of complex Combat Systems
• Conducting investigations, impact assessments and integration analyses across sensors, weapons, communications, networks and CMS
• Developing and presenting technical evidence to support safety cases, certification and customer approvals
• Collaborating with MOD, customers, OEMs and project teams, acting as a trusted technical point of contact

Essential skills:

• Strong knowledge of Combat Systems architectures across UK and international naval platforms
• Understanding of maritime and defence standards, assurance processes and governance frameworks
• Ability to quickly integrate into teams and deliver high-quality engineering outputs
• Skilled in Combat Systems analysis, integration, troubleshooting and complex issue resolution
• Confident stakeholder engagement with MOD, international navies, industry partners and OEMs
• Degree qualified and or equivalent experience in Systems/Combat Systems/Electrical Engineering or a related discipline and a commitment to working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status

The WTA Combat Systems team:

Join the Warship Technical Authority (WTA) Service Hub and help shape the future of naval engineering. Supporting Royal Navy and international programmes, the team work on complex whole-ship, systems and equipment challenges, delivering expert engineering, innovation and consultancy that directly contributes to the availability, performance and evolution of world-class warships.

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.

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 applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must 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: 7th September 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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