Principal Systems Engineer

Package: £64,000 – £75,000 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role : SF20616

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Systems Engineer at our Bristol site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you’ll technically lead complex or high value system refreshes on our MOD test ranges and lead the development of systems required to test our rapidly changing military equipment.

Day-to-day, you’ll typically work with our Mission Rehearsal teams, across a suite of technologies and capabilities, from large area surveillance to precision tracking and stop‑action systems, to the integration of customer/supplier platforms. You will work across one or more projects, delivering your portfolio of technical work alongside a Project Manager.

You will Technically Lead delivery of the overall solution, by applying systems engineering principles and be hands‑on producing your own systems artefacts. You will typically work across the full life cycle from concept to acceptance into service or may have a specialty focus area.

• Leading the technical delivery of complex/high value systems programmes, or groups of projects to time, cost and quality, working closely with Project/Programme Manager
• Delivering systems engineering artefacts through project life from requirements through to transition to service, authoring own as well as peer‑reviewing and guiding junior engineers to achieve required standards
• Actively engage with broad x‑business stakeholder group throughout programme, to ensure understanding of the broader context, with high level view of requirements, risk and decision/change management
• Tailoring of project life cycles and engineering governance approaches, advising and mentoring others
• Leading technical, assurance, systems engineering activity across your area of expertise/programmes
• Technically lead subcontracted activity, whether internal/external, ensuring statements of work, specifications and acceptance approach is achievable and that technical risk is transparent, reported and mitigated

• Relevant specialism in Systems Engineering, or technical discipline, domain, platform with willingness to broaden expertise
• Proven track record leading technical programmes through project life and into service
• Understanding of engineering planning, monitoring and control, systems engineering, concurrent engineering, integration of engineering specialisms
• Understanding of engineering systems including safety critical and safety related functions
• Advanced knowledge of systems integration, including facilities, equipment, control systems, communication systems, software and IT

• Degree Level qualification or equivalent, MSc or higher degree preferred, or equivalent experience

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 Bristol site (or we can consider any of our main UK locations) with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

QinetiQ operates state‑of‑the‑art facilities across the UK that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable…