Principal Systems Engineer

Expleo is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to support the growth of Expleo's Marine business unit. The successful candidate will provide systems engineering and technical leadership expertise across complex defence and maritime products, with responsibility for progressing defined work packages through design, integration, qualification, test and acceptance.

Working within a multi-disciplinary engineering environment, you will support the development and delivery of complex products across the full engineering lifecycle. The role requires a practical, hands‑on approach, including supporting Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), qualification activities, integration, fault investigation and the production of objective evidence to demonstrate compliance with requirements.

This role requires eligibility for UK Security Clearance. Candidates may start following successful BPSS screening but must be able to obtain and maintain SC clearance. Hybrid working is available, with attendance at the Barnstaple site required two days per week. Occasional travel to other customer or Expleo locations may be required.

• Take technical ownership of defined systems engineering work packages and deliver them to agreed cost, schedule and quality expectations.
• Provide technical leadership within a multi-disciplinary engineering team, supporting and mentoring engineers where required.
• Manage requirements throughout the engineering lifecycle, including capture, analysis, decomposition, traceability, verification and acceptance.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering artefacts, including specifications, interface definitions, compliance evidence, V&V plans and technical reports.
• Support system architecture, design development, trade studies and technical decision-making.
• Plan and support integration, verification, validation and qualification activities.
• Provide hands‑on support to FAT and other formal test activities, including test readiness, procedure review, witnessing, fault investigation, evidence capture and close‑out of issues.
• Assess test results and qualification evidence against requirements, identifying gaps, risks and corrective actions.
• Support the transition of prototypes and development solutions into repeatable, supportable products.
• Contribute technical inputs, estimates and delivery approaches to bids and work package planning.
• Work closely with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical issues and maintain delivery progress.
• Apply appropriate engineering governance, configuration control, change management and assurance processes.

Essential

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Systems Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status, or evidence of working towards professional registration.
• Relevant systems engineering training or certification, such as INCOSE ASEP, CSEP or equivalent.
• Training or certification in requirements management, MBSE, test or qualification methods.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience using IBM DOORS or a comparable requirements management tool.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles and their application across the engineering lifecycle.
• Ability to lead technical work packages and provide clear direction within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Requirements capture, analysis, decomposition, traceability and verification planning.
• Practical understanding of integration, verification, validation, qualification and acceptance.
• Ability to review test procedures, support formal testing and assess evidence…