Principal Research Engineer - Systems Engineering

Principal Research Engineer - Systems Engineering

Date: Jul 27, 2026

Location:Bristol, GB

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Based at our Global Technology Centre Bristol we are looking for a Principal Engineer with a strong background in Systems Engineering to help shape the future of flight. Our aim is to deploy a modern systems engineering ethos across the broad domains within the portfolio (Software, Controls, Structures, Protoyping, Electrical & Cryogenic systems). Working in advancing technologies developing the key underpinning physics but also the methods, capabilities and evidence to support our prototypes, we want a dynamic and experienced individual to help us:

• Provide technical leadership across the full technology engineering lifecycle through using Systems Engineering methods appropriate to our needs.
• Evolve and grow our capability embedding this into each discipline within the portfolio & beyond to stakeholders and customers
• Ensure that systems engineering principles are applied consistently across the portfolio of programmes
• Champion the use of Model Based Enterprise toolsets to better manage technical projects, knowledge and progress.  

This role offers hybrid working.

How You'll Contribute

The Principal Research Engineer - Systems Engineering will contribute to the following:

System Engineering leadership – championing a systems thinking across the whole portfolio to align teams into a common alignment with the concept of ‘Best Fit’; Act as a technical authority and mentor across the portfolio in conjunction with the Tech Authority, manage reports and take responsibility for capability growth.

System Engineering Framework Development & Deployment - Define and maintain a Systems Engineering Framework that aligns to technology development in aerospace and tailored for the organisation’s portfolio.

Codebeamer Integration & Governance - Champion the use of Codebeamer as the tool for requirements capture and decomposition, Agile tasking across teams, Dash board Compliance reporting for safety, quality, and regulatory requirements, Wiki knowledge management.

Manage team and execution – Coach, support and develop the systems personnel reporting to the Principal Systems Engineer, including career progression, annual appraisals and clear goal setting. Develop a strategic plan for delivery of key systems programme aims. 

What You'll Bring

Essential Skills & Experience:

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

• Expert in systems engineering lifecycle (ISO/IEC 15288, INCOSE) with experience in MBSE (e.g. SysML)
• Hands-on experience using Codebeamer (or similar tools) for requirements management, traceability, and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of requirements elicitation, decomposition, interface management, V&V planning, especially in a technical development environment.
• Framework & Process Development - Proven track record in defining and deploying SE frameworks across programmes, including championing change and mind-set development across teams and disciplines.
• Ability to integrate tools (e.g., Codebeamer, modelling environments) into a coherent digital-thread approach.
• Experienced in leading and mentoring cross-functional engineering teams.
• Has good interpersonal and communication skills and can translate to a variety of audiences. Is confident and able to represent their project(s)/Function/Discipline in internal/external environment.
• Education & Professional Standing; STEM degree with significant experience in systems engineering, Chartered Engineer (CEng), INCOSE CSEP/ESEP, or equivalent.

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board, you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Up to 15% Bonus
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (Employer max contribution 12%)
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further.  And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.  We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.  It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’.  By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.​
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