Principal Engineer

As a Principal Systems Engineer at QinetiQ Farnborough, you will provide senior systems engineering and technical leadership on complex programmes, including demonstrators or MOD rapid acquisition projects. You’ll lead cross‑functional engineering activities, ensure coherent system solutions, and drive through-life governance and assurance. You will engage with customers and stakeholders, shape proposals, and mentor peers to continuously improve engineering practice. This role offers impact across high‑value systems in a mission‑driven, innovative environment.

• Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance
• Health Cash Plan / Private Medical Insurance / Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal
• Armed Forces Covenant support and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering opportunities

• Lead high‑level engineering activities across major programmes
• Provide advanced professional systems engineering for complex products or technology developments
• Act as Programme Technical Lead or System Design Authority with peer reviews and independent assurance
• Apply systems engineering to through‑life development from requirements to certification
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to align solutions with enterprise and commercial context
• Shape proposals and devise robust technical and management solutions
• Ensure robust governance, peer reviews, and independent assurance
• Mentor colleagues and champion best practice and continuous improvement

• Applying systems engineering processes through the V‑cycle
• Broad experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams on complex system delivery
• Ability to lead teams through complex challenges with transparent status and risk
• Strong communication and facilitation skills across a broad stakeholder community
• Comfort with ambiguity and conflicting stakeholder needs
• Degree/Master’s level qualification and Professional Registration or equivalent experience

• communication
• facilitation
• leadership
• systems engineering
• V‑cycle processes
• through‑life systems engineering