{"id":3248828,"url":"https://alion.io/job/qinetiq-principal-systems-engineer-2","title":"Principal Systems Engineer","company":{"id":51551,"name":"QinetiQ","domain":"qinetiq.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/qinetiq","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"SuccessFactors","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":5,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.2,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":20,"computed_at":"2026-11-08T05:47:12Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Bristol, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":64000,"max":75000,"currency":"GBP","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":100309},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-09T02:01:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-09","last_verified_at":"2026-11-08T09:36:56Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":30,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":30},"description":"Package: £64,000 - £75,000 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits\nRole ID: SF20616\nAre you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Systems Engineer at our Bristol site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.\nThe Role\n As a Principal Systems Engineer, you’ll technically lead complex or high value system refreshes on our MOD test ranges and lead the development of systems required to test our rapidly changing military equipment.\nDay-to-day, you’ll typically work with our Mission Rehearsal teams, across a suite of technologies and capabilities, from large area surveillance to precision tracking and stop-action systems, to the integration of customer/supplier platforms. You will work across one or more projects, delivering your portfolio of technical work alongside a Project Manager.\nYou will Technically Lead delivery of the overall solution, by applying systems engineering principles and be hands-on producing your own systems artefacts. You will typically work across the full life cycle from concept to acceptance into service or may have a specialty focus area.\nYour responsibilities will include:\nLeading the technical delivery of complex/high value systems programmes, or groups of projects to time, cost and quality, working closely with Project/Programme Manager\nDelivering systems engineering artefacts through project life from requirements through to transition to service, authoring own as well as peer-reviewing and guiding junior engineers to achieve required standards\nActively engage with broad x-business stakeholder group throughout programme, to ensure understanding of the broader context, with high level view of requirements, risk and decision/change management\nTailoring of project lifecycles and engineering governance approaches, advising and mentoring others\nLeading technical, assurance, systems engineering activity across your area of expertise/programmes\nTechnically lead subcontracted activity, whether internal/external, ensuring statements of work, specifications and acceptance approach is achievable and that technical risk is transparent, reported and mitigated\nEssential experience of the Principal Systems Engineer:\nRelevant specialism in Systems Engineering, or technical discipline, domain, platform with willingness to broaden expertise\nProven track record leading technical programmes through project life and into service\nUnderstanding of engineering planning, monitoring and control, systems engineering, concurrent engineering, integration of engineering specialisms\nUnderstanding of engineering systems including safety critical and safety related functions\nAdvanced knowledge of systems integration, including facilities, equipment, control systems, communication systems, software and IT\nEssentialqualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer:\nDegree Level qualification or equivalent, MSc or higher degree preferred, or equivalent experience\n\nWe value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you. \nThis role is 37 hours per week based at our Bristol site (or we can consider any of our main UK locations) with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.\nQinetiQ operates state-of-the-art facilities across the UK that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable QinetiQ to conduct a wide range of research, testing and development activities that support both military and civilian applications helping to advance technology and support national security.\nPlease note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.\nUKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)\nOur Recruitment Process:\nAt QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing . One of our recruitment team will contact you.\nMany roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.\nWhy Join QinetiQ?\nAs we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.\nAs a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq\nOur Benefits\nMatched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance\nGenerous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days\nOptions to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance\nEmployee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more\nWe are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme\nVolunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community","description_format":"text","description_chars":6674,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Dental insurance","Health insurance"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Defense Manufacturing","Engineering Services","Testing, Inspection & Certification"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-25T19:46:43Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"GB","licensed_sponsor":true,"adverts_offering_sponsorship_24m":0,"sanctioned_now":false,"evidence":"Licensed UK visa sponsor (Senior or Specialist Worker, Skilled Worker, Graduate Trainee)","filings_12m":null,"filings_prev_12m":null,"green_card_filings_12m":null,"median_offered_wage_usd":null,"route":"Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker; 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