Senior/Principal Hardware Engineer

Job Title: Senior/ Principal Hardware Engineer

Location: Rochester – Onsite

Salary: Circa £60,000 depending on skills and 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.

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.

Job Description:

This role involves executing complex hardware design tasks in line with the agreed development plan, ensuring delivery within defined timescales and budgets. You will work within established engineering processes and hardware standards, contributing to high‑quality, reliable design outputs. Strong analytical capability and a structured approach to problem‑solving are essential.

In addition, you will lead hardware requirements capture, preliminary design, and detailed design activities, carrying out a range of analysis tasks to validate technical decisions. The role encourages an innovative mindset, identifying opportunities to enhance design efficiency and improve working practices.

Core duties:

• You will be working with other disciplines within an integrated team to optimise solutions and minimise impacts from dependencies
• You will be providing technical guidance and support to the development and delivery of all aspects of digital &/or analogue electronics solutions
• You will be coaching & developing the skills of junior team members

Essential Skills:

• You will have a degree/HND in electronics engineering or an equivalent qualification
• You will have proven knowledge and experience of digital &/or analogue electronics technologies
• You will have experience of working through the engineering development lifecycle, from concept to product certification (Such as DO-254)
• You will have ability to demonstrate a good appreciation of cost and schedule constraints on designs, to meet programme needs
• You will have robust understanding of product design and work package control
• You will have familiarity with Mentor Graphics Expedition Enterprise, Simetrix, LT Spice tools

The Hardware Team

As a Senior/ Principal Hardware Engineer you will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team to formulate and optimise innovative hardware engineering solutions, for products such as Helmet Mounted & Head-Up Displays, Mission Computers, Flight Controls, Active Inceptors, and other associated safety-critical technology.

This role will provide you with the opportunity to work with innovating cutting-edge projects as a member of a very experienced diverse team, with the view to progressing your career in this industry.

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: 10th June 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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