Principal Systems Engineer

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

We're looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to support the definition and development of complex defence systems from the earliest stages of the product lifecycle. You will provide technical leadership, shape system-level solutions, and help guide engineering teams through concept and development activities.

Location: Stevenage or Bristol
On-site Requirement: 3 Days Per Week
Seniority: 10+ Years Experience
Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across concept and early lifecycle development.
• Define system solutions, requirements, and technical trade studies.
• Support technical decision-making and systems-level analysis.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand evolving operational requirements.
• Guide and mentor engineers within the wider systems team.
• Support design reviews and programme-level engineering activities.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Demonstrable experience leading systems engineering activities across complex engineering programmes.
• Strong understanding of requirements development, management, and traceability throughout the system lifecycle.
• Experience supporting early-stage concept definition, trade studies, and solution development activities.
• Ability to analyse complex technical problems and make informed system-level decisions.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders and influencing technical direction across multidisciplinary teams.

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Proven technical leadership and mentoring capability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and guide engineering teams through complex technical challenges.
• Strong collaborative approach to cross-functional engineering delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

• Experience working on defence or weapon system development programmes.
• Familiarity with IBM Rhapsody or comparable systems engineering tools.
• Experience supporting concept assessment and feasibility studies.
• Exposure to systems architecture and solution definition activities.

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

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