Job Title: Principal Thermal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Cowes, Portsmouth Broad Oak, Great Baddow, 3 days a week onsite

We offer a range of flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Up to £77,100 (dependent on skills and experience) Part time & accruing hours available’ Please let us know if you would like to discuss these options.

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.

Role description:

The Principal Thermal Mechanical Engineer leads mechanical engineering for new radar technologies, providing expert thermal mechanical guidance across design, build, integration and test. As a subject matter expert in thermal systems and related disciplines, they may also act as Mechanical Design Authority for future radar products.

Core Duties:

Provide direction and technical expertise to a small team of mechanical/CAD engineers developing new radar products, while organising and overseeing associated project work packages.
Effectively liaise with the project engineering manager, the project manager and the project technical authority in pursuance of the project aims
Review and coach the mechanical engineering team while providing strong technical leadership and effective stakeholder management.
Subject matter expert in the area of Thermal Mechanical Engineering discipline.
Being a strong influencer in the Mechanical Engineering community, embracing change and continuous improvement throughout the organisation and Implement design changes.
Updating and complying with company standards, processes and guidelines.
Provide input into engineering estimates
Proficient in the use of SAP PDM tool for maintaining and updating design data

Essential Skills:

You’ll have a degree or equivalent experience, likely in a technology, engineering, science or IT‑related discipline.
You’ll have experience and knowledge of designing and implementing thermal management systems.
You’ll have experience and knowledge of the design, build, test and use of composite structural materials.
You’ll have familiarity with modelling and simulation tools for analysing structural behaviour under static and dynamic load, shock and vibration.
You’ll have familiarity with the content, applicability and use of relevant standards.
You’ll have experience and knowledge of engineering lifecycles, from requirements capture through to in‑service support.
You’ll hold CEng status, be working towards it, or have relevant equivalent experience.

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Future Radar Team:

Join us in shaping the Future of Radar Technology. Building on our heritage of cutting‑edge, world‑leading radar products, we are rapidly evolving our portfolio to enhance existing capabilities while pioneering brand new systems designed to counter emerging and future threats across the battlespace. Through close collaboration with our customers and sustained investment in exceptional talent, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of defence innovation and defining the next generation of radar solutions for Future Air Dominance

Our workplace in Cowes is an easily accessible commute from Southampton with a regular foot passenger ferry and BAE shuttle service from the ferry terminal to site.

As the world has evolved, so has the way we work. Our working approach will enable you to have flexibility with your working hours, depending on your role and location. This could include accruing hours as well as flexibility around start and finish times, ensuring you can balance life at work, on site and life at home.

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 26th May 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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Principal Thermal Mechanical Engineer