Principal Engineer - Operating Documentation

BAE Systems; Filton; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in the UK is seeking a Principal Engineer - Operating Documentation to aid in the creation of submarine operational documentation. This role involves crafting procedures for safe operations, interpreting technical information, and collaborating with engineering teams. Candidates should have experience with Royal Navy Submarines and hold an HNC/HND in engineering. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and various employee benefits, including flexible health plans.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience in Technical Publications or similar
• Ability to work with multiple information sources
• Experience in producing viable Operating Information

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the Technical Documentation Manager
• Construct procedural documents for UK Submarines
• Produce procedures for safe operation of submarine systems
• Interpret technical data for Operating Documentation
• Provide technical Verification and Validation
• Collaborate with Support Engineering teams

Skills

Experience with Royal Navy Submarines

Ability to create technical documentation

Interpreting design and engineering information

Competent with Microsoft Office

Education

HNC / HND in an engineering discipline

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Job description

Job Description - Principal Engineer - Operating Documentation (00133527)

Job Title: Principal Engineer - Operating Documentation

Location: Filton. 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:

• Providing input and support to the Technical Documentation Manager to aid in the production and management of Submarine Operating Documentation
• Constructing procedural documents for all classes of UK Submarines, both in-service and future platforms
• Producing procedures for the safe operation of all Submarine systems and equipment, including Ship's services, weapons, combat systems and command guidance information
• Interpreting technical data including (but not limited to) drawings, manufacturers handbooks and design safety justifications for the production of Submarine Operating Documentation
• Providing technical Verification and Validation of all forms of Operating Documentation
• Working alongside other Support Engineering teams to provide support and interpretation of Technical Information from external suppliers and the Interactive Electronic Technical Publication (IETP)

Your skills and experiences:

• Experience of working on or with Royal Navy Submarines, particularly as part of the Ship Control Organisation
• Ability to work with multiple and varied sources of information to create technical documentation to a defined specification
• Experience in interpreting various sources of design, engineering, procedural and OEM information to produce viable Operating Information
• HNC / HND / equivalent or higher in an engineering discipline
• Experience of working in a Technical Publications or similar environment
• Competent with Microsoft products to a level applicable to the role, especially Word, Access and Excel

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 Technical Publications team:

You will work within a team responsible for the creation of Technical Publications as part of the wider Support Engineering department, utilising and continuously improving established technical documentation production processes. This work enables end users to effectively operate, maintain, and support the Submarine. You will also play a pivotal role in the transition from traditional hard-copy documentation to modern, computer shaq solutions.

The role offers comprehensive on-the-job training and a structured development plan, providing opportunities to contribute to succession planning within a growing department. You will support multiple long-term projects and have access to further development opportunities, including higher and further education within engineering disciplines.

We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines 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.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export triển 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:

28th January 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.