Principal System Engineer

CompanyBAE Systems

LocationFrimley, England, United Kingdom

Posted At1/12/2026

UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics

Occupation Type

IT business analysts, architects and systems designers

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

Sponsorship Salary Threshold

£54,900 (£28.15 per hour)

Occupation rate applies

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Description

The external communications principal engineer will be able to apply their subject matter expertise and domain experience to good systems engineering practices, to support the Engineering Manager (EM) and Delegated Technical Authority (dTA) in delivering external communications systems and products to the submarine build and through-life support programmes. They will provide subject matter expertise and advice to other functional and capability areas to support overall project delivery and performance.

The external communications principal engineer will have a good understanding of the principles of the science and technology of external communications and will be able to reference the relevant maritime legislation, industry and defence standards. They will have an understanding of the customer and user needs of the product system and how this will influence and impact design activities, technical and operational performance.

The external communications principal engineer will be able to understand and report the programme status for engineering activities, identify problem areas and implement recovery plans. This will include the management of any consequent change embodiment activities.

The external communications principal engineer will have a working knowledge of the external communications marketplace, including products and suppliers and will have an understanding of the direction of potential future technologies.

Typical duties include (but are not limited to):

The following activities are typical of work that may be carried out by the external communications principal engineer, in full or part dependent on the role and the place the project is in the engineering lifecycle.

Understand and interpret the User Needs, Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Concept of Use (CONUSE) and be able to derive the technical and functional requirements for specific external communications systems.
Provide specialist knowledge and subject matter expertise to develop the functional design of external communications systems. Be able to define the systems architecture, components, interfaces and data to enable the development and production of the component sub systems. Understand and articulate the impact of the visuals system design on other areas of the submarine combat system and platform.

Ensure design proving evidence is comprehensive, captured within the requirements management tools and has been endorsed by the appropriate level of authority

Understand the contractual and performance requirements for external communications systems, and support the definition and associated acceptance criteria and events through design, build, integration, installation and commissioning activities.

Understand and support the flow-down of requirements to suppliers and acceptance of their specific deliverables, ensuring it is captured and recorded appropriately

Support the development of estimates for the scope of work and resources required to deliver it in order to support bids, proposal development and project planning activities for external communications systems.

Provide specialist technical support to shipbuilder installation, integration activities and commissioning activities (included in-service refitting authorities). Understand the customer Operational Defect (OPDEF) and maintenance processes to be able to provide specialist technical advice as required.

Provide technical support to integrated performance and acceptance activities, including acceptance of equipment from suppliers through to system acceptance by the customer

Support the documentation of domain knowledge and be to pass on information and expertise in order to help grow the knowledge base within appropriate business teams.

Provide technical guidance to other combat system engineers and support the engineering management team in planning and controlling specialist activities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

The external communications principal engineer will be responsible for, or provide input to the following typical key deliverables, dependent on the role and the place the project is in the engineering lifecycle:
Captured and agreed technical requirements in accordance with company and programme processes.
Compliant technical solutions against contractual requirements and regulations.
Design documentation generated, captured, configured and controlled in accordance with company processes.
Design change requirements and documentation generated, captured, configured and controlled in accordance with company processes.
Engineering LCM adherence for all deliverables, Sub Contract Design Reviews and relevant input to project LCM activities.

Engineering Lifecycle Management (LCM) adherence for all deliverables, Sub Contract Design Reviews and relevant input to project LCM activities.

Captured and agreed input to appropriate Verification Cross-Reference Index (VCRI), Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance Plans (ITEAP) and Qualification Plans.

Specialist advice and contribution to other project documentation, such as Training Needs Analysis (TNA), Technical Publications, and Operating Instructions (list is not exhaustive).

Knowledge of external communications systems in the maritime defence domain and have a comprehensive understanding of how such systems and associated activities interact with the overall platform. Platform and ideally sea experience in an operational, build, trials or in-service support environment in order to have gained an understanding of the operational needs and requirements of a Combat System, and to help be credible with the Customer and User.