Principal Autonomous Systems Engineer

As Principal Autonomous Systems Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across autonomy programmes and mentor engineering teams while engaging customers to deliver cutting-edge autonomous capabilities. You will steer technical strategy, shape future capabilities, and lead integration and trials across defence programmes. The role balances leadership (70%) with hands-on delivery (30%), contributing to growth and high-impact projects at our Farnborough site. You join a mission-driven environment that combines advanced technology with a culture of collaboration and innovation.

• matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance
• generous holiday allowance
• Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• employee discount portal
• defence sector recognition via Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award
• volunteering opportunities

• Provide technical leadership across autonomy and autonomous systems programmes
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and mentor senior engineers
• Define technical strategy and influence future capability development
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to shape requirements and solutions
• Support development of autonomy software, modelling and simulation capabilities
• Lead integration, demonstration and trial activities across defence programmes

• Significant technical leadership experience within autonomy, robotics, defence, aerospace or related engineering environments
• Strong understanding of autonomous systems, robotics, control systems or AI-enabled technologies
• Experience leading complex technical programmes and engineering teams
• Experience developing and delivering customer-focused technical solutions
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and engineering governance
• Experience supporting business growth, customer engagement or strategic technical development
• Degree in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or another relevant STEM discipline
• Active SC clearance is desirable

• leadership
• mentoring
• customer engagement
• autonomy
• robotics
• defence/aerospace engineering