Principal Systems Engineer

Manpower; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead a team in Portsmouth. This role combines technical leadership with hands-on responsibilities, ensuring the STEATS offering meets customer needs. Candidates should have strong systems engineering experience and a technical background in network protocols. Hybrid working patterns are available, and you will manage technical projects while liaising with customers. Degree-level expertise in relevant fields is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong experience within Systems Engineering, preferably in maritime environments.
• Understanding of computer network architectures and protocols.
• Knowledge of tools such as Wireshark.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers to deliver STEATS capabilities.
• Shape and implement strategies for STEATS offerings.
• Manage technical delivery plans and specific projects.
• Act as technical point of contact for customers.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Network protocols knowledge

Technical Assurance process understanding

Education

Degree in systems engineering, computer science or similar

Professional membership or accreditation

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer (Technical Lead)

Location: Portsmouth (Predominantly onsite with occasional remote working)

Duration: 6 months

Inside IR35: Umbrella

The Role

As a Principal System Engineer, you will be leading a team of Engineers to deliver the required STEATS (Synthetic Test Environment and Analysis Tools Service) capabilities in support of the NCSISS (Naval Combat Systems Integration Support Services) contract.

Day‑to‑day, you'll play a key role in shaping and implementing the strategy to ensure the STEATS offering is well positioned to meet customer needs going forward. You will also be responsible for leading a cross‑technical team of systems engineers, providing both day‑to‑day management and strategic technical leadership. You will work on simulations and tools that enable combat systems engineers to perform their roles effectively, combining hands‑on technical work with leadership responsibilities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Shaping and guiding future strategy for the STEATS offering
• Providing technical support in terms of Technical Delivery Plans
• Technical management of specific, delegated projects
• Being the technical point of contact for our customers

Essential experience of the Principal Systems Engineer

• Strong experience within Systems Engineering, Networks, IT would be preferable
• Previous maritime experience would be an advantage
• Understanding of the Technical Assurance process
• Knowledge of computer network architectures, protocols and analysis including client/server, TCP/IP, UDP, NTP and Wireshark

Essential qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer

• Degree level expertise encompassing systems engineering, computer science, physics or similar technical discipline with post‑degree experience (or equivalent)
• Full professional membership of a relevant body or similar accreditation

We value difference and we don't have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Portsmouth site. Hybrid working patterns are available.