Principal Qualification Engineer

Job Title: Principal Qualification Engineer

Location: Rochester (On site)

We offer flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £60,000 depending on 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.

Job Description:

As well as being a step-up for an experienced Principal Qualification Engineer, this role might also suit a Project Engineering Lead or a Principal Systems Engineer in Aerospace & Defence wanting to specialise in Qualification. The role might also be known in other organisations as “Project Engineer” or “Compliance Verification Engineer”.

You will play a key role in planning, managing, and delivering comprehensive qualification test campaigns, operating within a specialised, purpose‑built test facility which is a key part of the Rochester Engineering function. The role provides unique exposure to advanced environmental, Electromagnetic Compatibility/Interference (EMC/EMI), lightning, and nuclear‑hardening test capabilities to meet the qualification requirements used throughout military and civil sectors.

Core duties:

• Being responsible for and managing of product qualification work packages, including costs, risks and opportunities, collaborating with the engineering project management team
• Compiling technical test procedures in line with standards and customer requirements
• Monitoring and reporting product performance whilst undertaking environmental, EMC, lightning and nuclear hardening tests to military and civil standards
• Writing technical test reports, providing technical support to customers, and generating estimates to support new business.
• Designing and manufacturing of EMC/EMI Test Harnesses
• Providing technical support and guidance to junior personnel

Essential Skills:

• A wide range of experience in the use of certification standards used in qualification to meet EMC & Environmental testing requirements – e.g. MIL-STD, RTCA DO-160, DEF-STAN
• Knowledge and experience of a range of environmental & EMC/EMI tests
• Experience in the generation of qualification test procedures and reports
• Management of qualification work packages on projects, with responsibility for delivering allocated work packages on-time
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

The Qualification Team:

You will be working in a dedicated qualification engineering team at Rochester, in a fully equipped ‘one-stop’ qualification department with a large and varied customer base. This role offers excellent opportunities for career progression, and you will have the chance to work with a diverse range of Electronic Systems products for military and commercial applications, including; Head Up and Head Worn Displays, Safety Critical Pilot Control systems and Flight Control Systems.

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: 3rd November 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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