Principal Systems Engineer

Job Description Thomas Search are delighted to be partnering with a leading defence research & development organisation who is looking for a Principal Systems Engineering Team Leader in Hampshire. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to work across ground-breaking innovations and be part of a growing professional community.The RoleAs a Principal Systems Engineer you will lead a team of Systems Engineers and operate working across multiple projects delivering your own portfolio of work.Day-to-day, you will assimilate a broad view of programmes, technical challenges and deliver systems engineering artefacts across multiple projects showing a deep interest in the effective productisation of science and technology.Your responsibilities will include:Working with discipline and professional leads to shape toolsets, artefacts, training and best practiceMentoring, peer reviewing and advising on professional best practice both directly and throughout your teamSetting, discussing and tracking individuals goals and performance, including gathering feedback, 121s and calibration activitiesAdvancing your teams professional skills, knowledge and behavioursApplying deep or broad systems engineering principles and practices to engage with the team delivering on actionsAdvising on suitable deployments for your team, Chief Engineers, Programme Leaders, resource Managers and related stakeholders as necessaryEssential experience of the Principal Systems Engineer:Robust understanding of systems engineering and its application in the development of productsA strong knowledge of engineering toolset for managing complex systems developmentsPrevious experience operating as a Lead / Principal Systems Engineer on complex equipment development programmes delivering artefacts and leading teamsThe ability to build effective, high performing teams and develop others including addressing behaviours where necessaryA deep or broad experience applying systems engineering principles and practices in line with competency frameworksDemonstrable experience applying relevant standards and meeting regulatory requirements in engineering deliveryEssential qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer:A chartered engineer or demonstrable experienceThis role is 37 hours per week based in Farnborough, Hampshire. Hybrid working patterns are available with a realistic 2/3 days per week onsite.NB. Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK security clearances.JBRP1_UKTJ

Created: 2026-01-27