Senior Principal Engineer

Senior Principal Electronic/Electrical Engineer Summary Morson Talent has partnered with a leading developer of high-end electronic and electrical systems for naval platforms, sonar applications, and other defense equipment and are seeking a Senior Principal Engineer to lead technical excellence and deliver complex engineering projects within their Electronic and Electrical domain. This role combines deep technical expertise in electronic and electrical design with collaborative leadership to guide multidisciplinary teams and drive strategic growth. Key responsibilities include technical governance, design review, team development, and contributions to bids and project delivery. We are looking for someone who thrives on innovation, operational efficiency, and impactful technical leadership. As a Senior Principal Engineer, you will be a technical authority and play a critical leadership role within the business, shaping the design solutions, technical direction and execution of Electronic and Electrical engineering initiatives. You will foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, champion innovation, and ensure the successful delivery of industry-leading solutions. Design and Technical Responsibilities: Set the Standard for Advanced Design : Lead the definition, development, and implementation of high-integrity, safety-critical Electronic and Electrical architectures, with a focus on modularity, scalability, and robustness in naval and sonar applications. Architectural Authority : Provide high-level design direction, from concept development and detailed schematic capture through to PCB layout, integration, and qualification. Ensure solutions meet stringent performance, environmental, and EMC/EMI requirements. Design Reviews and Governance : Chair major design reviews (PDRs, CDRs, etc.) with rigour, ensuring all engineering artefacts meet ultra-high technical standards and compliance requirements. Champion Design for Excellence : Ensure engineering deliverables consider all aspects of the product lifecycle, including supportability, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness. Collaborate with production and manufacturing teams to optimise outcomes. Leadership Responsibilities: Lead and Support Talent Development : Provide technical guidance and career development support to the Electronic and Electrical engineers. Cultivate an inclusive, high-performance environment that values diverse perspectives and continuous learning. Strategic Resource Planning : Contribute to recruitment and workforce planning. Support the assessment and development of team capabilities to ensure alignment with current and future project needs. Advance Technical Excellence and Governance : Continuously improve engineering processes and practices. Promote strong governance and high standards in project execution. Collaborative Influence : Work closely with other Senior Principal and Chief Engineers, domain leads, and cross-functional teams to align resources and deliver integrated project outcomes. Partner with support departments to maintain a cutting-edge development infrastructure. Project and Proposal Support : Guide technical contributions to bids and projects, ensuring they align with business goals. Provide technical oversight, mentorship, and leadership throughout the project lifecycle. Drive Capability Development : Promote skill development in underrepresented or emerging areas within the team. Stay informed of industry trends and evolving standards, integrating them into team practices. Support Cross-Functional Initiatives : Contribute to initiatives related to export control, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement. Represent the company in regulatory and partner discussions. Qualifications/Skills Required We are looking for an experienced lead Electronic/Electrical design engineer who is skilled at hands on design as well as leading projects and teams, ideally within in Defence equipment. Design Experience : Proven track record in delivering complex, multi-layer board designs incorporating power management, digital and analogue circuit design for demanding environments. Experience with EMC and safety regulatory compliance. Leadership : Builds trust and fosters inclusive, experience working as technical lead and mentor. Strategic Thinking : Experience aligning engineering strategy with business goals. Able to influence key stakeholders and contribute to long-term planning. Stakeholder Engagement : Strong interpersonal skills. Confident in representing internal and external stakeholder interests, especially in customer-focused environments. Innovation-Focused : Advocates for continuous improvement and encourages creativity across teams. Operational and Governance Excellence : Organised and quality focused. Ensures robust processes and timely delivery across multiple priorities. Resilience and Adaptability : Able to work effectively in dynamic environments. Manages priorities while maintaining focus on business outcomes. All candidates must be eligible to achieve the relevant security vetting level applicable to the role.