Principal Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer

Location: Chelmsford – Great Baddow, Hybrid, 3 days weekly onsite

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 £75,900 commensurate with skills and experience. Part time & accruing hours available’ Please let us know if you would like to discuss these options.

Put yourself into a dynamic Principal Systems Engineering role at the forefront of real world demands in the defence industry. Alongside ensuring operational excellence for our existing products, there will be the opportunity to develop next generation radar products to counter emerging threats and contribute to our strategy for new technology. Your new day-to-day will be exciting and diverse by applying the principles of Systems Engineering across the entire engineering development lifecycle as you join in developing radar systems used by those who serve and protect us.

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.

What you’ll be doing:

You will develop innovative solutions to complex and emerging technical challenges within advanced radar systems, applying broad systems engineering expertise to guide design, resolve issues and ensure technical rigour. Your role includes performing detailed system analysis, managing design trade‑offs and leading the decomposition and governance of requirements using approved toolsets such as IBM DOORS Next.

Acting as a central technical authority, you will drive system‑level decision‑making, lead analytical activities and mentor team members while collaborating with multidisciplinary specialists to shape integrated design solutions. You will also direct system integration, oversee test planning and execution, and define acceptance strategies that clearly demonstrate system performance across diverse operational scenarios to stakeholders.

Core duties:

• You’ll be experienced in systems design, integration & test
• You’ll have an understanding of Systems and Product lifecycles from concept through to delivery
• You’ll have an understanding of a range of Engineering disciplines (Software, Mechanical, Electrical)
• You’ll have an understanding of Radar Systems is desirable, although not essential if other complementary skills demonstrate a capacity to understand new technologies quickly and effectively
• You’ll hold good inter-personal skills with the ability to communicate to all levels within the organisation and externally
• You’ll be experienced of presenting both technical and non-technical information in a formal setting
• You’ll hold a degree (or equivalent) qualified in an engineering or science discipline

The Radar Systems Engineering team:

You will be working as a Principal Systems Engineer within our close-knit multi-function radar team of inter-disciplinary engineers, evolving our radar portfolio of existing and brand-new radar products to address emerging and future threats.

Join us and help shape the future of Radar technology!

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: 23rd March 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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