Principal Systems Engineer
- Southampton
- £65.00-70.00 per hour
- Permanent
- Full-time
£70 per hour (Inside IR35)Initial 6-Month ContractA cutting-edge opportunity has opened for a Senior or Principal Systems Engineer to support advanced research into the next generation of airborne mesh networks.This is a high-impact role where you will work closely with a team of engineers, subcontractors, and partners, shaping how networks are designed, simulated, and optimized for airborne communication systems.Key Accountabilities -+ Conduct detailed research into novel approaches for network protocol design and routing algorithms.+ Specify and execute networking simulations using third-party tools or in-house platforms.+ Analyse and interpret data to inform design improvements.+ Support ongoing efforts to develop and propose networking standards.Skills and knowledge required -+ Strong understanding of networking protocols - their layers, functions, design rationale, and alternatives.+ Ability to design meaningful experiments and analyse complex simulation data.Why this role?+ Work within a highly collaborative and technically excellent team.+ Be part of exciting R&D into future-facing airborne communications technologies.+ Access continuous learning through mentoring, technical expertise, and structured development pathways.Whether you're a seasoned systems engineer or an ambitious individual eager to contribute to transformative projects, we'd love to hear from you - even if you don't tick every box.