Electrical and Combat Systems Discipline Lead
Job Title: Electrical and Combat Systems Discipline Lead
Location: Portsmouth Naval Base – Minimum 3-4 days onsite
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 £65,000 (dependent on skills & experience + bonus scheme)
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:
This role leads the development and long-term capability of the Combat Systems and Electrical engineering disciplines within the Warship Technical Authority, ensuring a skilled and resilient workforce. You will align capability with business needs, drive professional development and succession planning, shape discipline strategy, and collaborate across engineering teams to support effective in-service capability delivery.
Core duties:
- Leading workforce planning, recruitment, development and retention activities across Electrical and Combat Systems disciplines
- Align engineering capability with demand, ensuring effective prioritisation across commitments and deliverables
- Partnering with Technical Leads to understand future requirements and maintain workforce readiness
- Embedding consistent people management, performance, development and Asset Management ways of working
- Collaborating with the Engineering Function to share best practice, standards and capability development
- Driving continuous improvement and support business growth through enhanced engineering capability and innovative in-service support solutions
Essential Skills:
- Strong understanding of engineering capability development within complex, matrixed organisations
- Knowledge of Electrical and Combat Systems disciplines is desirable, but experience in other disciplines, such as Mechanical, is also valued to shape capability and workforce strategies
- Experience in workforce planning, succession management, talent development and professional growth
- Ability to influence stakeholders and build effective relationships across functions and programmes
- Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent experience), with engineering leadership experience
- Professional registration (IEng/CEng) and maritime, defence or regulated industry experience are advantageous
The Warship Technical Authority (WTA) team:
Join the Warship Technical Authority (WTA) Service Hub and help shape the future of naval engineering. Supporting Royal Navy and international programmes, the team work on complex whole-ship, systems and equipment challenges, delivering expert engineering, innovation and consultancy that directly contributes to the availability, performance and evolution of world-class warships.
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: 25th September 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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Life at BAE Systems
Within a growing network of around 100,000 colleagues in more than 40 countries, our teams bring together people with diverse skills, ways of thinking and backgrounds - while our work spans the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space.
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