Jobs in Hawkwell

Job Title: Chief Systems Engineer

Job Location: Rochester, Kent UK -Working Onsite

Salary: Up to £80,000 + bonus depending on 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.

Role Description:

An opportunity has arisen for a Chief Systems Engineer based at Rochester, within the Engineering organisation. The role is required to provide discipline expertise in the context of product realisation across the entire Engineering lifecycle and Rochester product portfolio.

Core Duties:

Ensure that systems engineering processes and approaches meet the needs of projects taking into account the relevant standards

Participate in the BAE Systems – Systems Engineering Working Group

Support projects with specific focus on project start-up, design, verification and clearance strategies

Provide support to project execution as required through the functional management team

Coach across the organisation to promote the embedding of sound systems engineering practices

Drive the systems discipline engineering strategies and process improvement activities to improve cost, schedule and quality

Perform reviews of defects and recommend changes to process, training to improve future performance

Work with the other Chief Functional Engineers to collaborate on improvement activities

Collaborate internally within ES and the wider BAE Systems to determine and deploy best practice

Provide Design Certifier support to Chief Engineers as required

Essential Skills:

Experience of planning and performing systems engineering process improvement

Experience in the application of Product Safety to SAE ARP4754B, SAE ARP4761A, DEF STAN 00-056

Evidence of coaching Engineers in their career journeys

Qualification to Degree or equivalent in an engineering related discipline

Systems leadership experience within as many of the following as possible: Mission Systems, Head Up Displays, Helmet Mounted Displays, Active Inceptors, Flight Control Systems and Power Management

Chartered Engineer or equivalent status

The Engineering team:

The Electronic Systems (ES) sector spans the commercial and defense electronics markets with a broad portfolio of mission-critical electronic systems, including flight and engine controls; electronic warfare and night vision systems; surveillance and reconnaissance sensors; secure networked communications equipment; geospatial imagery intelligence products and systems; mission management; and power-and energy-management systems. Headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, ES employs approximately 13,000 people globally, with engineering and manufacturing functions primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom.

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: 1st July 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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