Principal Systems Design Engineer

Overview

You lead hybrid Navy software system design to deliver secure, reliable, and certifiable solutions that align with product visions and capability requirements. In this role, you guide cross-functional teams, shape high-level system and software designs, and manage risks to enable successful naval projects. You work within a collaborative Combat Systems team, contributing to advancements in Royal Navy systems. This is a high-visibility role that combines technical leadership with strategic decision-making to support critical defence programs.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working options
• wellbeing and financial support
• lifelong learning and career development
• recognition for contributions
• balanced lifestyle
• inclusive workplace

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to the software system design team and set technical direction
• Ensure solutions align with product vision by defining and managing product and system requirements
• Lead development of high-level system and software designs and document key architectural decisions
• Produce and maintain software design artefacts (requirements analysis, system specifications, interfaces)
• Identify and manage technical risks and ensure validation and delivery of requirements for project success

Key requirements

• Broad and deep expertise in systems engineering, preferably in defence or related industries
• Proven knowledge of software engineering approaches and Agile practices
• Significant breadth of software engineering experience in a systems context
• Understanding of business processes and ability to provide specialist technical guidance

• Collaborative team leadership
• Clear communication of complex technical concepts
• Risk awareness and proactive problem-solving
• Systems engineering
• Software architecture and design
• Requirements analysis and validation

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