Principal Engineer – Mechanical Engineering (Pressurised Air & Gas)
// Role Summary
Lead the design and development of critical pressurised air and gas systems for next-generation Royal Navy submarines. This Principal Engineer role offers technical leadership, specialist delivery, or people leadership opportunities within a major defence programme.
// Key Responsibilities
- Pivotal role in designing and developing submarine pressurised air and gas systems.
- Opportunity to steer design architecture and provide technical or people leadership.
- Responsible for system-level design, supplier engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Requires strong experience in pressurised air and gas systems, ideally in complex, safety-critical environments.
- Chartered Engineer status (or working towards it) is essential.
- Contribute directly to one of the UK's most advanced defence programmes.
// Role Specification
Principal Engineer – Mechanical Engineering (Pressurised Air & Gas)
Join BAE Systems and be part of a team shaping a safer future. As a Principal Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of submarine pressurised Air and Gas systems, contributing to the advanced defence solutions of tomorrow.
About the Role:
This role focuses on system-level design, supplier engagement, and steering design architecture across a major submarine programme. Depending on your skills and aspirations, the role can be shaped towards:
- Technical leadership – Owning design solutions and providing guidance.
- People leadership – Managing small teams and supporting engineer development.
- Specialist technical delivery – Focusing deeply on pressurised air and gas analysis, performance, and integration.
Core Duties:
- Lead the design of pressurised air and gas systems, sub-systems, and equipment for the next generation Royal Navy submarines.
- Undertake functional design activities, modelling, and analysis.
- Produce design documentation, Verification & Validation evidence, and safety justifications.
- Support specification qualification and procurement of components, working collaboratively with suppliers.
- Engage with stakeholders across the cross-functional project team.
- Drive engineering governance through peer reviews and design reviews.
- Take ownership of deliverables and accountability against the plan and milestones.
- Guide and support other team members utilising experience.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Strong experience in the design of pressurised air and gas systems, ideally in complex, safety-critical environments (e.g., maritime, aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas).
- Familiarity with systems and equipment involving compressed air systems, compressors, pressure vessels, and pressure reducers.
- Proven capability in system lifecycle delivery – from concept through to commissioning.
- Chartered engineer or working towards professional accreditation.
- Degree qualified or HND with extensive experience in pressurised air and gas systems.
About the Team:
This is an exciting opportunity to join the SSN-AUKUS Platform Mechanical Integrated Delivery Team. You will act as a technical specialist for pressurised air and gas systems essential to submarine operations, taking ownership of high-integrity mechanical designs in a demanding engineering environment. You will work across multidisciplinary teams to develop complex system solutions, influence platform-level decisions, and ensure designs meet strict safety, performance, and environmental standards.
Relocation support may be available for submarine roles, subject to eligibility criteria.
Why BAE Systems?
Build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. BAE Systems offers lifelong learning, meaningful work, and a supportive culture where you can grow with confidence. Enjoy rewards tailored to your needs, support for your wellbeing, and a balanced lifestyle in an environment embracing sustainable working practices.
We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe diversity strengthens our teams and is vital to our work.
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions. These restrictions may impact role eligibility based on factors such as nationality, previous nationalities, and place of birth. All applicants must achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Many roles require higher levels of National Security Vetting, often requiring 5 to 10 years of continuous UK residency depending on the vetting level.