Principal Engineer – Combat Systems (External Communications)

Job Title: Principal Engineer – Combat Systems (External Communications)

Location: Frimley, (alternative locations: Filton, Portsmouth Broad Oak or Weymouth)

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £58,000 (DOE)

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:

This role will have you leading areas such as Requirements Management and Testing & Integration of equipment into wider systems across Submarines. This will give you exposure to a range of suppliers & customers.

Core duties:

• Capturing and agreeing technical requirements in accordance with company and programme processes

• Design documentation (including change requirements) generated, captured, configured and controlled in accordance with company processes

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

• Ensuring design proving evidence is comprehensive, captured within the requirements management tools (IBM DOORS) and has been endorsed by the appropriate level of authority

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

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

Essential Skills:

• Knowledge of external (over the air) communications systems in the maritime defence domain and have a comprehensive understanding of how such systems and associated activities interact with the overall platform (knowledge of the whole radio frequency spectrum, Data/Voice Communications and Systems Network Architecture). 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

• Have experience in dealing with Product Safety and SHE

• Have experience in requirements management applications (IBM DOORS) management of verification and validation activities.

• Have experience in technical documentation authoring and report writing

The ECS (External Communications Systems) team:

You will be joining a tight knit and diverse team who are always looking to share their knowledge / expertise in this area. Challenges are met as a team, and this is an opportunity to both showcase your ability to engage with stakeholders and your collaborative skills. 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: 16th October 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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