Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Cowes, Portsmouth Broad Oak, Great Baddow – 4 days onsite minimum

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Up to £87,200 (depending on skills and experience)

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role description:

The Principal Mechanical Engineer is a key role that leads the mechanical engineering aspects of the development of new radar technologies. Reporting to the Project Engineering Manager, this role must have an expert general mechanical knowledge with experience in the design, build, integration and test of complex mechanical systems

The holder will themselves be a subject matter expert in at least one area of Mechanical Engineering, for example, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis, Propulsion, Structures or Thermal Systems. They may also hold Mechanical Design Authority for the Future Radar Products

Core Duties:

Subject matter expert in at least one area of the Mechanical Engineering discipline

Provide leadership, direction, and technical guidance to a small team of mechanical/CAD engineers, including reviewing their work and coaching them throughout the development of new radar products

Organise and oversee work packages within the project

Effectively liaise with the project engineering manager, the project manager and the project technical authority in pursuance of the project aims

Being a strong influencer in the Mechanical Engineering community, embracing change and continuous improvement throughout the organisation

Implement design changes

Updating and complying with company standards, processes and guidelines

Provide input into engineering estimates

Essential skills:

You’ll have experience and knowledge of the design, build, test and use of composite structural materials

You’ll have experience and knowledge of engineering lifecycles from requirements capture and derivation through to in‑service support

You’ll have experience and knowledge of designing and implementing complex mechanical systems, as well as familiarity with relevant modelling and simulation tools for analysing structural behaviour under static and dynamic loads, shock and vibration

You’ll be able to demonstrate familiarity with the content, applicability and use of relevant standards

You’ll hold Chartered Engineer status or an equivalent professional registration

The Future Radar team:

You will be working within our close-knit multi-function radar team of inter-disciplinary engineers, evolving our radar portfolio of existing and brand-new radar products to address emerging and future threats.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date 10th April 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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