Principal Engineer – Human-Centric Technologies (Defence & Security)

Responsibilities

We are representing a confidential defence technology consultancy seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the design and delivery of intelligent, human-centric systems. As a senior technical authority, you will architect solutions on complex projects, guide multidisciplinary teams, and work directly with clients to shape and win new engagements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Designing and developing intelligent systems that perceive, reason about, and adapt to human state, behaviour, and intent in real time using multi-modal sensing and contextual modelling
• Designing, protocolling, and running human subject studies, conducting empirical data evaluation, and synthesising scientific insights to inform technology design
• Conducting deep literature reviews across experimental psychology, cognitive science, and human factors, translating complex concepts into actionable engineering requirements
• Acting as technical lead and architect on larger projects, owning the technical solution and the value it delivers
• Developing proposals and costed work programmes, turning client problems into deliverable projects
• Setting technical direction and acting as technical reviewer across the department
• Steering internal capability, research, and demonstrators that keep the team at the forefront of technology
• Mentoring engineers and scientists and conducting technical interviews
• Supporting and contributing to departmental processes and technical standards

This is a remote role with flexible hybrid working, though some projects will require full-time office presence. Much of the work requires security clearance.

What We're Looking For

We need an experienced technical lead with the scientific and engineering breadth to guide human-centric technology development and the commercial acumen to help create and win new work.

Essential requirements:

• Extensive experience in applied cognitive science, human-computer/robot interaction, human factors, or related human-centric technology fields, including work on defence or security projects
• Extensive experience conducting human subject research: end-to-end experiment protocol design, running empirical studies, evaluating complex data sets, synthesising actionable insights, and navigating ethics committee processes
• Experience architecting the technical approach on complex projects and acting independently as the technical authority
• Strong undergraduate degree in a relevant technical or scientific subject, such as Cognitive Science, Psychology, Computer Science, Human Factors, or Neuroscience (PhD welcome but not required)
• Strong technical capabilities in Python and relevant computational modelling tools
• Interest in working directly with clients and contributing to proposals and technical sales conversations
• Must hold or be able to obtain UK Security Check (SC) level security clearance and be eligible to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law

Desirable experience:

• Technical experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch) and agentic workflows
• Technical exposure or experience in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), neurotechnology, biosensing, or wearable augmentation/exoskeletons
• An established external profile: publications, conference talks, or shareable project credentials in relevant venues

How We Work With You

When you apply through Get A Job.ai, our talent team will review your profile and conduct an initial screening to understand your background and career goals. If there's a strong match, we will submit your candidacy to our client for consideration. Please do not contact the client directly, as all communication should flow through our recruiting team to ensure the best experience for everyone involved.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process based on experience and qualifications.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Get A Job.ai is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.