Principal Systems Engineer

Principal Systems Engineer

Location: UK (with occasional UK & overseas travel)Employment Type: PermanentSector: Engineering / Systems IntegrationSalary: Competitive + benefits

Are you an experienced Systems Engineer looking to lead high-impact technical work across complex, multi-disciplinary projects? This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing engineering team and play a pivotal role in delivering large-scale, safety-critical systems.

We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership, drive systems engineering best practice, and guide project teams throughout the full engineering lifecycle. This position offers the chance to shape engineering processes, support cutting-edge project delivery, and mentor the next generation of engineers.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will:

Systems Engineering Leadership

• Lead systems engineering activities from concept through to commissioning.
• Manage system and stakeholder requirements, ensuring full traceability through to verification.
• Develop and maintain system architectures, functional models, and interface definitions.
• Oversee integration activities across mechanical, electrical, control, and software disciplines.
• Define and implement verification & validation strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Support safety case development, hazard analysis, and risk assessments.

Technical Delivery & Assurance

• Manage technical deliverables from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ensure configuration control and change management processes are followed.
• Conduct technical reviews, design assurance checks, and peer reviews.
• Support bids, proposals, technical estimates, and wider project planning.

Team Development & Collaboration

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to internship/apprenticeship programmes.
• Work closely with clients and suppliers to develop strong working relationships.
• Assist Engineering and Project Managers with scheduling and task coordination.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive enhancements to systems engineering processes, tools, and standards.
• Support the development of technical strategies, architecture frameworks, and roadmaps.
• Promote the use of structured modelling and SE tools to enhance traceability and integration.

General Responsibilities

• Uphold company policies including data protection, GDPR compliance, and code of ethics.
• Champion health & safety standards for yourself, colleagues, and visitors.
• Participate in business meetings and contribute to the smooth running of the engineering department.
• Carry out additional duties aligned with the scope of the role.

About You

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Strong experience in systems engineering across the full lifecycle.
• A background working on complex, multi-disciplinary engineering projects (Nuclear is desirable).
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder-management skills.
• The ability to mentor others and influence engineering best practice.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on major, technically challenging projects.
• Professional growth and development within a supportive engineering environment.
• Involvement in shaping future engineering strategy and capability.
• A culture that values diversity, inclusion, and employee wellbeing.