Principal Engineer – Systems Engineering

Principal Engineer – Systems Engineering (Process, Governance & Maturity) - Flexible UK Locations (Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency Placement)

Position Overview

• Role: Principal Engineer – Systems Engineering (Process, Governance & Maturity)

• Location: Flexible Locations (Barrow-in-Furness, Coventry, Frimley, Filton, or Broad Oak) – Hybrid working model (typically 2 days on-site every second week)

• Salary: Circa £55,000 per annum

• Job Function: Engineering / Experienced Professionals

• Closing Date: Friday, 9th October 2026 (Note: The vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received)

About the Role

Join the crucial Systems Engineering Transformation (SET) team and help establish and embed a modern systems engineering capability across complex programmes! As a staffing partner, Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency is proud to recruit for this vital Principal Engineer position on behalf of BAE Systems.

In this operations-focused role within the SSNA programme, you will ensure project processes run smoothly, consistently, and effectively. You will oversee governance activities, support tasks, facilitate change and configuration management, and ensure that engineering management documentation remains compliant with mandated frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Process & Toolset Governance: Develop, maintain, and continuously improve processes, methods, and toolsets used to govern and deliver requirements management, acceptance activities, and configuration control.

• Performance & Maturity Measurement: Establish and maintain effective approaches for measuring and reporting engineering performance, maturity, and delivery status.

• Framework Compliance: Ensure engineering management processes remain compliant with the mandated eLCM (Engineering Lifecycle Management) framework and project tailoring statements.

• Integration & Collaboration: Integrate new systems engineering ways of working with the Business Management System (BMS) and align maturity management approaches with the programme's Project Control System.

• Knowledge Management: Drive continuous improvement of processes and tools used to request, retrieve, manage, and share systems engineering information across stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For

• Systems Engineering Expertise: Sound knowledge of systems engineering with a solid understanding of technical management principles.

• Requirements & Configuration Experience: Proven background in requirements and acceptance management throughout the lifecycle, alongside configuration control and change management in a complex engineering environment.

• Communication & Influence: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively influence team ways of working.

• Tool Proficiency: Experience using requirements and task management platforms such as DOORS and Jira (familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering / MBSE is advantageous).

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary circa £50,000 to £55,000 per annum tailored to your experience.

• Relocation Support: Relocation support packages are available across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

• Pension & Share Plans: Comprehensive contributory pension scheme alongside employee share plans.

• Wellbeing & Lifestyle: Extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing, and lifestyle benefits, including private health plans, a green car scheme, and shopping discounts.