Job Summary: Senior Integration Trials Engineer

BAE Systems is recruiting a Senior Integration Trials Engineer to join the Type 26 (T26) Global Combat Ship programme. Based in Scotstoun, this is a critical “hands-on” engineering role focused on the functional integration, testing, and ultimate acceptance of the sophisticated Combat Systems that will define the UK’s next-generation frigate fleet.

You will guide the journey of complex weaponry, radar, and sensor systems from land-based testing environments to final sea trials, ensuring every component performs reliably under operational conditions.

Key Responsibilities

Functional Integration: Lead the setting-to-work and trial activities for the T26 Combat System, ensuring all individual equipment (radar, sonar, weapons) functions as a unified whole.
Trial Documentation: Generate and review technical trial documentation, including PINTS, SINTS, and GINTS (Platform/System/Group Integration Network Test Specifications), leveraging data from existing platforms like the T45 and Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC).
Diagnostics & Fault Finding: Act as the technical lead for interface diagnostics, signal-path continuity testing, and complex troubleshooting across the system.
Acceptance & De-risking: Conduct integration trials at the Land Based Integration Facility (LBIF), supplier sites, and eventually on-board the ships during Sea Trials.
Leadership & Mentorship: Provide technical direction to junior engineers and “Early Careers” personnel, fostering growth in functional integration methodologies.

Role Details

Salary: Up to £56,465 (depending on experience).
Location: Scotstoun, Glasgow (Onsite).
Travel: Required to Portsmouth and on-board ships for sea trials.
Closing Date: 30th March 2026.
Interviews: Week commencing 13th April 2026.

Candidate Requirements

Essential:

Education: Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Engineering, Technology, or Science.
Professional Standing: Membership in a Professional Engineering Institute recognized by the Engineering Council.
Career Progression: Currently working toward IEng or CEng (Incorporated or Chartered Engineer) status.
Security: Must be able to achieve a high level of National Security Vetting (typically requires 5–10 years of continuous UK residency).

Attributes:

High technical “curiosity” and a commitment to safety and reliability.
Ability to work effectively within a high-stakes, technology-led defense environment.

The Integration Pathway: From Land to Sea

In naval engineering, “Integration” is the process of ensuring that hundreds of independent systems can talk to one another without interference.

Land-Based (LBIF): Systems are tested in a simulated environment to catch software and interface bugs early.
Platform Integration: Hardware is installed on the T26 in Glasgow, and physical connections are verified.
Sea Trials: The “ultimate test” where systems are operated in real-world maritime conditions to achieve final acceptance.

Why this is a “Legacy” Role

The Type 26 program is a cornerstone of UK defense for the next several decades. As a Senior Trials Engineer, your signature on an acceptance document signifies that a multi-billion pound asset is “fit for purpose and fit for use.”

Application Tip: Highlight “Whole-Ship” Thinking

BAE Systems is looking for engineers who see beyond the individual piece of equipment.

Reference Previous Platforms: If you have worked on T23, T45, or QEC, emphasize how you translated lessons learned from those platforms to solve new problems.
Focus on “De-risking”: Provide an example of a time you identified a potential system conflict during the documentation or land-based phase that prevented a costly failure during a physical trial.

Vetting Readiness: Given the strict security requirements, ensure your residency and nationality details are clear to avoid delays in the “Baseline Personnel Security Standard” (BPSS) process.

BAE Systems is a global defense, aerospace, and security giant and one of the largest employers in Scotland. Its Glasgow operations are the heart of the UK’s naval shipbuilding capability, centered on the historic Govan and Scotstoun shipyards on the River Clyde. The company’s mission is “to serve, supply, and protect those who serve and protect us,” a purpose that drives a culture of high-stakes engineering, precision manufacturing, and long-term national investment.

The Glasgow Shipyards

BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships is headquartered in Glasgow, where it is currently delivering the “once-in-a-generation” Type 26 Frigate program for the Royal Navy.

Govan Shipyard: The primary facility for steel fabrication and the initial construction of massive hull sections.
Scotstoun Shipyard: The center of excellence for outfitting, systems integration, and complex testing and commissioning of warships.
New Infrastructure: A massive new “ship build hall” in Govan, completed in 2025, allows two frigates to be built side-by-side indoors, protected from the Scottish weather to ensure 24/7 operational efficiency.

Key Company Highlights

Feature	Details
Specialization	Complex warship design, shipbuilding, and maritime integration
Glasgow Locations	Govan (G51 4XP) and Scotstoun (G14 0XN)
Core Projects	Type 26 City-class Frigates; support for Type 45 Destroyers
Investment	£300m modernization program of the Clyde facilities
Skills Hub	Home to the state-of-the-art Applied Shipbuilding Academy (opened 2024)

Culture and Workforce

The culture at BAE Systems is defined by three core values: Trusted, Innovative, and Bold. It combines the grit of traditional heavy industry with the sophistication of cutting-edge digital technology.

“World Changers” in Engineering: Employees work in a highly collaborative, mission-driven environment where technical accuracy is a matter of national security.
Inclusion & Belonging: The firm is a leader in gender diversity in STEM and has robust Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for veterans, LGBTQ+ staff, and neurodiversity.
Lifelong Learning: Through its Glasgow-based academy, the company provides continuous “cradle-to-grave” training, from its massive annual apprenticeship intake to senior leadership development.
Sustainability: As part of its 2026 ESG goals, the Glasgow sites are pioneering “Green Shipbuilding” techniques to reduce carbon emissions in both construction and vessel operations.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.baesystems.com.