Job Opening Title
Principal Systems Engineer
Job type
Non fixed term
Company Overview
Framatome is a major international player in the nuclear energy market recognised for its innovative solutions and value‑added technologies for designing, building, maintaining, and advancing the global nuclear fleet. With 20,000 employees worldwide, Framatome designs, manufactures, and installs components, fuel, and instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants.
Role Overview
We are looking for a detail‑oriented Principal Systems Engineer to design, develop, and implement state‑of‑the‑art systems for the Nuclear Defence and Space Industry. Responsibilities include understanding military and European/UK Space Agency requirements, defining system specifications, and developing system architectures. The role requires producing high‑quality, innovative engineering solutions that meet all design requirements and standards.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop defence and space system architecture, including developing requirements using a systems engineering approach.
- Act as Engineering Manager across the full delivery lifecycle (requirements to operational handover) for complex nuclear/space projects.
- Manage engineering solutions with values ranging from £0.5 M to £200 M+ client‑based CAPEX.
- Conduct system‑level analysis to ensure defence systems meet performance, reliability, and safety standards.
- Test and evaluate defence and/or system functionality under various operational conditions.
- Identify and resolve system defects, vulnerabilities, and inefficiencies.
- Collaborate with engineers, technicians and clients to integrate and optimise system components.
- Provide technical documentation for system designs, test results, and operational procedures.
- Stay current with advancements in defence and space technology and engineering practices, including UK and international engineering standards.
- Ensure nuclear defence and space systems comply with all relevant governmental and in‑country regulations.
- Conduct training sessions for system users and operators, as needed.
- Support procurement of materials and components required for system development and maintenance.
- Manage system requirements and derived requirements to ensure compatibility with the defined system architecture.
- Guide system development and implementation planning through assessment or preparation of system engineering management plans and system integration and test plans.
- Interact with government and associated agencies regarding systems engineering technical considerations and for associated problems, issues, conflicts.
- Ensure logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
- Perform risk identification, gap assessment and mitigation planning.
- Oversight of solutions in terms of system verification, validation, and testing.
- Provide underpinning engineering evidence or expert advice using probabilistic and deterministic evidence.
- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) including HAZID, HAZANS, HAZOPs, and human factors.
- Coordinate after‑life maintenance strategies and effectiveness.
- Act as technical mentor to support staff development directly or indirectly with subject‑matter skills.
Qualifications & Experience
- 10+ years proven experience as an Engineering Manager, Systems Engineer, or a similar role within a highly regulated nuclear environment.
- Experience in nuclear/defence system design and standards.
- Excellent knowledge of engineering delivery, system modelling, simulations, and risk analysis.
- Experience in system verification, validation, and testing.
- Ability to understand and analyse complex technical requirements.
- Proficiency in systems engineering tools.
- Technical qualification or degree (e.g., BSc in Engineering, Computer Science, or a relevant field).
- Willingness to obtain or transfer a minimum of SC clearance; only British Nationals or Citizens may apply.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave per year rising by 1 day for every 2 years worked (maximum 30 days).
- 8% employer pension contribution with employee 1% contribution (salary sacrifice).
- Individual and family private health care.
- Dental insurance.
- Cashplan – Level 2 cover.
- Life assurance (4× salary).
- Employee assistance programme (EAP).
- Income protection.
- Professional body membership.
- Tusker Electric car scheme (salary sacrifice).
- Cycle to Work scheme (salary sacrifice).
- Babbel – language learning.
- Generous family leave – maternity and paternity 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay.
Job location
United Kingdom, Cranfield
Travel
25%
Job family
Standard
Minimum level of education required
Bachelor
Minimum level of experience required
Early career
Background checking required?
Yes
Legal company
Framatome is an international leader in nuclear energy recognised for its innovative, digital and value‑added solutions for the global nuclear fleet.
Reference number
2025-22867
Publication date
8/21/2025
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