Principal Software Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer

Salary: Up to £65,500 (DOE)

Location: New Malden. Hybrid 3 days / 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

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 Software Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in leading the software team producing the software work products and supporting artefacts for software releases for the fleet of UK Submarines. You will be a leading example to others, providing technical leadership, planning and communicating work and expectations for team members. You will ensure the Software is delivered within project timescales, budgets and are in line with all relevant processes and quality requirements under the direction of the Product TA/ Team Lead and/or SDA.

Core duties:

• You will work with Design /Technical Authorities to conduct complex software engineering activities to execute and lead the development of software engineering work products, ensuring that estimates, project deliverables and issues are prioritised and delivered, in agreed timescales and costs
• Set clear goals and expectations for your team aligned with business objectives and in line with performance management cycle and provide regular feedback and performance reviews. You will identify training needs and support skill development and foster career growth through mentoring and stretch assignments, identifying talent and potential
• Build a positive, inclusive, and motivating team culture while recognising and celebrating individual and team achievements. You will address concerns or conflicts quickly and fairly and ensure open and transparent communication across the team
• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, balancing workloads to ensure efficiency and promote wellbeing. You will plan resource allocation based on workload and/or project needs and support the recruiting their own team members

Essential Skills:

• Deep technical software engineering knowledge, demonstrated their ability across several software development projects to design and deliver robust solutions
• Understanding of software engineering methodologies, processes, procedures and best practices and has a background in software product development and/or delivery, preferably in a large, complex multi-project environment
• Team Leading experience; both managing work and reporting on costs
• Qualified to HND/degree level or equivalent in a STEM related discipline. Applicants should be a Chartered Engineer or hold another equivalent professional registration with a relevant institution

The SMCS Team:

The SMCS team sits at the heart of the Submarine Command System projects/programmes providing situation awareness (via Tactical Picture Compilation) and Weapons Management capability for all submarines in the Royal Navy flotilla. As a collaborative and inclusive team, we work together to deliver a variety of engineering tasks across SMCS portfolio. You will be working with a talented group of engineers who endeavour to make the team an enjoyable and rewarding place to work.

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: 25th May 2026. Interviews for this position will take place W/C 8th June.

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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