Principal Systems Engineer

We are seeking a deliveryfocused Principal Systems Engineer to act as the systems lead on a UK defence programme.

This role is not focused on handson mechanical or electronic design. Instead it centres on owning requirements verification and compliance and ensuring all engineering outputs align precisely with customer and regulatory expectations.

You will be the person who knows the system inside out and can confidently stand behind it with customers.

This role suits someone who is:

• Highly detailoriented
• Comfortable working independently
• Happy spending time reading checking and validating documentation
• Confident engaging directly with customers in a clear factual manner

You will work closely with engineering science test and production teams but your focus will be on requirements verification and evidence rather than active design.

Responsibilities will include:

• Owning system requirements and ensuring full traceability through verification
• Managing and delivering the systems compliance matrix
• Compiling and reviewing verification evidence across Technology
• Comparing test reports design documents and certificates against hundreds of requirements
• Delivering the systems input into formal design reviews including Critical Design Reviews
• Coordinating systems engineering deliverables and schedules across the programme
• Acting as a senior technical contact for the customer providing clear and honest responses
• Managing systems work packages with suppliers and subcontractors

Essential experience

• Strong background in systems engineering requirements management and verification
• Experience working in regulated or safetycritical environments
• Solid understanding of the systems Vmodel
• Comfortable owning systemlevel decisions and deliverables
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance

Defence experience is helpful but not required. Candidates from aerospace rail automotive or other regulated industries are very welcome.

Working pattern

• Hybrid working with typically 2 days per week on site in Hemel Hempstead
• Flexible working arrangements considered including parttime for the right candidate

Qualifications :

• Bachelors Degree (or higher) or equivalent (including via work experience) in engineering or relevant STEM subject.
• Requirements management tools such as DOORS (experience helpful but not mandatory)
• Verification & validation planning and execution
• Producing and reviewing:
• Design specifications
• Verification reports
• Certificates of design / conformity
• Familiarity with technical and design reviews
• Ability to quickly learn and apply standards (e.g. Defence Standards EMC safety)
• Exposure to MBSE / SysML is a plus but not essential

Additional Information :

Why Join Smiths Detection

• Hybrid working from our Hemel Hempstead office
• A technically rich highvisibility corporate accounting role
• Exposure to complex group structures and senior stakeholders
• An organisation genuinely embracing change and continuous improvement

If you are an experienced qualified accountant with strong statutory reporting credentials and a positive adaptable mindset we would love to hear from you.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin economic status disability age or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics where we celebrate support and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation including but not limited to interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our careers website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time