Principal Systems Engineer

We’re seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering activities for motor drive systems used in hybrid electric propulsion. Joining our Electronic Controls and Motor Systems team in Solihull, you’ll bring technical leadership across the development lifecycle-from defining architecture and requirements to integration, verification and qualification.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of complex engineering challenges, work closely with customers and partners, and influence how advanced aerospace systems are developed and demonstrated.

Your impact

You’ll connect customer needs with practical engineering solutions, ensuring system designs are robust, requirements are traceable and verification evidence demonstrates compliance.

Lead system architecture and development

• Define system architecture in collaboration with customers and partners.
• Establish functional allocation and system interfaces.
• Author the System Development Plan and manage detailed systems engineering activities in support of the overall project schedule.
• Provide technical input and support at customer gate reviews.

Own requirements definition and management

• Develop the Requirements Management Plan and capture customer requirements.
• Lead requirements validation at system level and support component reviews.
• Work with the Project Safety Engineer to identify and define applicable safety requirements.
• Maintain clear traceability throughout the development lifecycle.

Drive integration, verification and qualification

• Develop system verification plans and define the integration strategy.
• Specify and document test setup requirements.
• Lead or support system verification and qualification testing.
• Review evidence against requirements and agreed means of compliance.
• Record and trace verification evidence within the requirements database.
• Support consolidation of the system declaration of performance.

Improve how we work

• Ensure engineering activities follow company procedures.
• Share best practices and identify opportunities to improve processes.
• Lead changes that strengthen engineering quality and delivery.

What you’ll bring

You’ll combine substantial systems engineering experience with the confidence to make technical decisions, resolve complex problems and build effective working relationships.

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related STEM discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Typically, at least eight years of relevant experience , or an advanced degree in a related field with at least five years of relevant experience .
• Extensive experience across systems design, integration and verification.
• Experience with MBSE tools to support the systems engineering lifecycle,
• Experience within aerospace or another highly regulated engineering environment.
• Knowledge of ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-160 and DO-254 .
• Experience working within a configuration-controlled environment, including managing problem reports and change requests.
• Strong requirements definition and requirements management capability.

Experience that would help you succeed

• A background in motor drive systems.
• Experience with IBM DOORS and model-based systems engineering tools such as CAMEO .
• The ability to work autonomously and apply sound engineering judgement with limited oversight.
• Clear communication skills and confidence collaborating with internal teams, external suppliers, customers and other stakeholders.
• Practical experience managing engineering work packages, smaller projects or processes.
• A continuous improvement mindset, alongside the curiosity to develop skills across different engineering disciplines.

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, develops advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine aerospace and defence.