Lead Principal Systems Engineer

  • Thomas Search
  • Portsmouth, Hampshire
  • Nov 22, 2025
Full time Telecommunications

Job Description

Thomas Search has partnered with a leading UK defence technology contractor who is looking for a Principal Systems Engineers in the Portsmouth area. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to work across ground-breaking maritime innovations and be part of a growing professional community.

As Lead Systems Engineer, you'll play a key role in shaping and implementing the strategy to ensure the department 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.

Experience and Qualifications:
  • 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.
  • 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.
NB. Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK security clearances.