Fortress Recruit Ltd
Principal System Engineer
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Fortress Recruit is supporting a leading Defence Manufacturer in their search for a Principal Systems Engineer (Electrical-bias) to join their growing specialist team based in Poole.
This is a senior position combining hands-on technical engineering with project leadership, for new and existing full lifecycle projects. Some projects will require you to be more involved technically, while others will require greater project leadership, so the ability to move comfortably between the two is essential.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Acting as the Technical Authority for allocated projects, reviewing and signing off electrical designs and engineering outputs
- Providing senior technical leadership across projects from requirements and concept through to verification, qualification, and manufacture
- Remaining hands-on technically, supporting engineers and resolving complex electrical engineering challenges
- Coordinating multidisciplinary engineering resource across electrical, electronics, mechanical, software, and systems teams
- Leading technical reviews, managing technical risk, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and requirements
- Maintaining high standards of engineering documentation, technical governance, and design assurance
- Working to APQP quality processes and collaborating with customers and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery
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To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A Degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline
- Significant senior-level experience in electrical engineering and design
- Proven experience reviewing, approving, and signing off electrical designs
- Strong knowledge of engineering standards and their application to complex designs
- Experience operating as a Technical Authority, Design Authority, or equivalent senior technical position
- Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects within defence, naval, maritime, aerospace, or other highly regulated environments
- Strong technical documentation, engineering governance, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience with Zuken E3, EPLAN, or equivalent electrical CAD package
- Knowledge of APQP, DEF STAN, MIL-STD, EMC, or environmental qualification would be advantageous
- Eligibility for SC clearance (5 years' UK residency with no visa or sponsorship requirement)
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This is a predominantly site-based role in Poole, reflecting the collaborative nature of the position and the requirement to work closely with project teams and wider engineering disciplines. Some flexibility to work from home may be possible, typically 1-2 days per week where project requirements allow.
On offer is a competitive salary and the opportunity to take genuine technical ownership of complex naval and maritime engineering projects, working within a growing engineering organization with significant future project demand.
For more details or a confidential discussion, contact rebecca@fortressrecruit.com or call Becki directly.
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