Principal Engineer - Combat Systems Engineering (External Communications)

BAE Systems; Frimley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor is seeking a Principal Engineer - Combat Systems to develop communication subsystems for submarines. This role offers hybrid working arrangements and requires strong knowledge in wireless communications within the maritime and defence domains. Candidates should possess a STEM-related degree and experience in the engineering lifecycle. The position includes responsibilities for design development, supplier interactions, and providing technical support, along with a range of employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Shopping discounts

Relocation support packages

Qualifications

• Knowledge in the maritime, defence, and/or commercial domains.
• Experience with engineering lifecycle phases, including design and integration.
• Ability to interact with various stakeholders and present information.

Responsibilities

• Develop ECS design through systems engineering principles.
• Support requirements flow-down to suppliers and acceptance activities.
• Provide technical support to integrated performance and acceptance activities.

Skills

Knowledge of wireless communication systems

Experience in maritime and defense domains

Strong communication skills

Awareness of product safety and SHE

Education

STEM-related degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Description

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

Location: Frimley - we offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

What you’ll be doing

• Define and develop the ECS design through systems engineering principles, including architecture, requirements, concept solutions and interfaces to enable the development and production of the component sub-systems.
• Understand the contractual and performance requirements for communication products and sub-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 EM and PM in supporting bids, proposal development and project planning activities.
• 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 pass on information and expertise to help grow the knowledge base within appropriate business teams.

Your skills and experiences

• Knowledge and experience in wireless communication systems and products in the maritime, defence and/or commercial domains and an understanding of how such systems are used and interact with the overall submarine build programme.
• STEM-related degree or equivalent experience within the aerospace/defence/telecommunications/marine environment.
• Knowledge of the complete engineering lifecycle with experience in operating in a number of the key lifecycle phases including requirements/system design, and integration and acceptance.
• Have a strong awareness of product safety and SHE.
• Good communication skills and be able to present and interact with a variety of different stakeholders.

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The ECS Team

The ECS team primarily focuses on designing, developing, and integrating the communications system on-board submarine platforms. As part of this growing team, you’ll explore innovative technologies and integrate them into cutting‑edge designs. We offer relocation support packages across all submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Security and Eligibility

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 at 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

10th February 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.