ME4 - Principal Manufacturing Engineer

ME4 - Principal Manufacturing Engineer

As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer, you will act as a technical authority, supporting and mentoring manufacturing engineers in the delivery of systems that create real business value, directly contributing to the success of the Type 26 (T26) programme and future shipbuilding projects. This is a highly collaborative role, working closely with colleagues across Operations, IT, and other key functions to deliver integrated digital solutions that enable world class ship manufacturing.

The Manufacturing Systems Team is at the forefront of driving digital transformation within BAE Systems Naval Ships. We identify, test, and deliver innovative manufacturing systems including our flagship programme, Digital Shipbuilder that enhance efficiency and capability across our operations.

Your main responsibilities as ME5 - Principal Manufacturing Engineer:

Act as Test Manager for Manufacturing Execution System (MES), owning the end to end test process, ensuring strong governance, and overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of all work packages

· Provide technical leadership and mentoring to manufacturing engineers, fostering capability growth across the team.

Drive the development, integration, and utilisation of data sets from manufacturing systems to enable insight-led decision making and process optimisation.

Drive and support the manufacturing systems requirements lifecycle, working with cross-functional teams to deliver tactical projects and MES work packages that meet stakeholder needs.

Perform root cause analysis of manufacturing system issues and drive effective, timely resolutions to sustain operational performance.

Champion continuous improvement in digital manufacturing capability, processes, and data governance.

Support the Manufacturing Engineering Manager in shaping strategy and exercising Product Owner DOA (Delegation of Authority) for manufacturing systems and related initiatives.

Your skills and qualifications:

Sound engineering knowledge – demonstrable via formal qualifications and experience

Experience in Digital Systems such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Enterprise Resource Management (ERM), NC Programming, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), 2D and 3D CAD/CAM principles.

Experience leading and coordinating tasks to deliver high quality outcomes within agreed timelines.

Desirable:

Experience working on complex transformational projects and business change management

Experience working across the full requirements lifecycle, from analysis and definition through to testing, implementation, and deployment.

What we're looking for in you:

· Leadership and motivation of people

· Excellent personal and technical skills

· Excellent communication skills

Location: Govan

Grade: GG11

Salary: Competitive

Benefits: Our employees receive an excellent benefits package which includes a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a Company contributed Share Incentive Plan. We also offer a range of additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and many local and national employee discounts. Some employees may also be eligible for an annual incentive

Our Naval Ships business

We design and manufacture a range of naval ships and state of the art combat systems and equipment, giving customers the capability to fulfil extensive naval operations. From offshore patrol vessels through to the latest City Class Type 26 frigates that we are building for the UK Royal Navy, and the Australian Hunter Class and Canadian Surface Combatant, we are a business that operates on a truly global platform and can offer a wide range of opportunities where you can play your part in these challenging and exciting projects.

Attracting and retaining the sharpest minds is essential for a globally competitive UK naval engineering business. Our aim is to recruit the very best talent and we welcome applications from a diverse range of people, from all backgrounds, with many different skills, experience and perspectives. We offer the flexibility you need to do what’s important to you, whether that’s job sharing, home working, or simply the ability to flex your start and stop times. Where practical, we’ll support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your full potential.

We are committed to supporting work life balance for all our employees and embrace a range of modern working practices, which aim to enhance flexibility for individuals whilst also enabling business performance. Flexibility provisions vary by role, but include; hybrid working arrangements, flexible working patterns and shift working.

We want to be the leading employer in defence and security for valuing diversity and inclusion. We care about difference in all forms and want to create an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently under-represented within our industry, including women, people from ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. We also want to be a preferred home for veterans and reservists.

For more information on our Diversity & Inclusion work, please click here.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and who have been in their current role for 12 months or longer

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. Click here for more information on national security vetting levels.

Closes 22/12/2025