Principal Designer – Hull and Outfit

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Designer – Hull and Outfit

Location: Barrow-in-Furness. This role will require full time on site attendance

Salary: Up to £47,551 depending on skills and experience

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.

Job Description:

As a Principal Designer within our Hull and Outfit team, you will provide front‑line engineering support to Operations, Integrated Work Teams and Test and Commissioning functions. This is a highly visible, delivery focused role offering you the chance to work closely with build areas whilst applying strong technical judgement, pace and effective stakeholder engagement.

Core duties:

• You will be responsible for providing frontline engineering liaison to Operations, Integrated Work Teams, trades and Test and Commissioning teams
• You will develop and authorise pragmatic solutions to design and build issues, including Production Queries, concessions, supplier inquiries and non‑conformances
• You will be responsible for producing engineering outputs including drawings, formal engineering instructions and build support to help delivery pace
• You will be required to challenge and liaise with stakeholders constructively to ensure design intent, safety, quality and compliance are maintained; while reaching the best business outcome
• You will provide technical leadership, assurance and coaching, whilst also deputising for the Project Leader when required

Essential Skills:

• You will have gained experience within Hull and Outfit structural engineering in marine or similar high‑hazard environments
• You will demonstrate an excellent ability to produce engineering outputs including drawings and formal technical instructions; as well as interrogate 3D models, drawings and data with attention to detail
• You will require a good understanding of manufacturing, build, installation, test and commissioning activities across complex engineering programmes
• You will require experience within live build environments and/or waterfront activities
• You will need to have good familiarity with production change, non‑conformance and concession processes

The Hull & Outfit team:

Our Hull and Outfit Design team are organised and specialised, led by a Project Leader. As part of the team, you will work alongside Designers of varied capabilities across areas including Seating, Penetrations, Eye Plates, Primary Structure and Hull Mechanics. The role will offer clear opportunity for further career progression and development. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

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: 21st May 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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