Lead Mechanical Engineer – Hydraulics

Job Title: Lead Mechanical Engineer – Hydraulics

Location: Barrow-in-Furness / Coventry

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Circa £55,000 (Commensurate with skills and experience)

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

As a Lead Mechanical Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of submarine hydraulic and actuation systems. This includes system-level design, technical leadership and the opportunity to steer design architecture across a major submarine programme.

Core duties:

• Provide technical leadership, owning design solutions and providing guidance to others.
• Lead the technical assurance of the hydraulic systems, sub-systems and equipment for the next generation Royal Navy submarines.
• Verify calculations are complete, checked by the appropriate SQEP and validate calculation meet technical intent.
• Supporting the team in tackling technical challenges, providing support and advice to ensure adequate technical solutions.
• Co-ordinate programmatic initiatives, leading additional work packages which fall outside normal system scope.
• Drive engineering governance through peer reviews and design reviews, identifying and addressing shortfalls in documentation or process.

Essential Skills:

• Strong experience in the design of hydraulic systems – ideally in complex, safety-critical environments (e.g. maritime, aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas and sub-sea)
• Familiarity with systems and equipment involving; hydraulic power units (HPUs), variable frequency dives (VFDs), control cabinets, pumps, electric motors, hydraulic actuators, hydro-static transmissions and fluid mechanics.
• Proven capability in system lifecycle delivery – from concept through to commissioning
• Demonstrated leadership through technical direction, mentoring, or project ownership
• Chartered engineer or working towards professional accreditation

The Platform Mechanical Team

This is an exciting opportunity to join the SSN-AUKUS Platform Mechanical Integrated Delivery Team as a Lead Mechanical Engineer – Hydraulics, acting as a technical specialist for critical compressible and incompressible fluid systems essential to submarine operations. You will take ownership of high-integrity mechanical designs in one of the most demanding engineering environments, working across multidisciplinary teams to develop complex system solutions, influence platform-level decisions and ensure designs meet strict safety, performance and environmental standards. This role offers the chance to contribute directly to one of the UK’s most advanced defence programmes. Relocation support may be available for submarine roles, subject to eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 31st May 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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