Principal Engineer - Combat Systems (External Communications)

Job Title\: Combat Systems Engineer – External Communications

Location\: Frimley, 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.

Referral Bonus\: 2000

Grade\: S5

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

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
• Reviewing technical solutions against contractual requirements and regulations for compliancy
• 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
• Captured and agreed input to appropriate Verification Cross-Reference Index (VCRI), Integration, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance Plans (ITEAP) and Qualification Plans
• 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
• Ensure design proving evidence is comprehensive, captured within the requirements management tools (IBM DOORS) 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 LCM process using CADMID
• Understand and support the flow-down of requirements to suppliers and acceptance of their specific deliverables, ensuring it is captured and recorded appropriately
• Provide specialist technical support to shipbuilder installation, integration activities and commissioning activities (included in-service refitting authorities)
• 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 good awareness of Product Safety and SHE
• Good communication skills and be able to interact with stakeholders

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.

*We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

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\: 17th August 2026