Principal Engineer – Systems

About the role

We are looking for a Principal Engineer – Systems to lead the systems engineering effort on complex defence and mission‑critical programmes. The role will provide technical leadership throughout the full lifecycle, from requirements capture to operational support, ensuring that integrated solutions meet performance, security and interoperability standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across defence and mission‑system programmes, managing requirements capture, decomposition, allocation and traceability.
• Define and maintain system architecture, interface control documents, integration plans and verification/validation strategies.
• Develop technical specifications, ICDs, test procedures and compliance documentation.
• Conduct system analysis, trade‑off studies, design reviews and risk assessments.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams covering software, hardware, networking, cybersecurity and test.
• Support C2, C4ISR, tactical communications, secure networking and distributed mission systems.
• Engage with customers, suppliers and programme stakeholders while mentoring engineering teams.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Electrical, Telecommunications, Computer, Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years of systems engineering experience in defence, aerospace, security or mission‑critical environments.
• Proven track record delivering complex integrated systems programmes.
• Experience with C2, C4ISR, tactical or secure communications.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering methodologies, lifecycle processes and verification.

Required skills

• Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as Enterprise Architect.
• Requirements management tools: JAMA Connect, DOORS, JIRA.
• Familiarity with INCOSE, MIL‑STD and NATO interoperability standards.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles for defence systems.
• Expertise in system integration, verification and validation.