Role: Principal Systems Engineer Location: West London, Hybrid Job Type: Permanent Salary: Competitive Industry: Defence Overview Our client is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join a multi-disciplinary engineering team focused on the early phases of complex system development. Reporting to the Project Engineering Lead and working closely with the Design Authority, you will be instrumental in shaping system solutions from initial concept through to architectural definition and requirement development, supporting the progression of technology through various readiness levels. Due to the where the project w role is ideally suited to an engineer who thrives in the left side of the V-model, with a passion for clean, structured systems thinking and the integration of diverse engineering domains (software, hardware, mechanical). Key Responsibilities as a Principal Systems Engineer: Define system concepts, use cases, and architecture Capture and break down system-level requirements Run trade studies and shape early design decisions Lead and contribute to system design reviews Spot risks early and support mitigation plans Work closely with cross-functional teams to align goals Essential Skills: Solid understanding of systems engineering and the V-model Cross-discipline experience (software, hardware, mechanical) Skilled in tools like DOORS, SysML, JAMA Strong in trade-off analysis and structured decision-making Confident communicator with stakeholders at all levels Fami