Principal Systems Engineer

Powering Decision. Protecting Advantage.

Join the Team Redefining Defence Technology...

We are Powering Decision for customers operating in the most demanding strategic and tactical environments. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programmes that shape the future battlespace, we empower our people to make a meaningful impact.

Cyber Business

Our Cyber business unit pioneers advanced cryptographic and key‑management solutions that underpin trusted, confidential information exchange worldwide. Join us and help develop the technologies that secure nations, protect lives, and deliver confidence where it matters most.

Role Purpose

You will assure and implement ISO 15288 systems engineering processes across the full systems lifecycle for assigned projects. As a senior technical authority, you will enable and assure multi‑disciplinary teams, ensuring that stakeholder requirements are realised, products are delivered to the highest quality, and compliance is demonstrated to customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Leadership

Represent the Systems Engineering discipline for assigned work packages, providing senior leadership and accountability for quality, delivery, time and budget. Support the Engineering Project Lead (EPL) in delivering all engineering obligations and lead delegated systems responsibilities.

Systems Engineering & Solution Development

Lead the development of technical solutions for large and complex engineering challenges using robust Systems Engineering practices. Create Systems Engineering artefacts across the lifecycle to ensure successful project outcomes. Contribute to design, development and delivery of high‑quality SE artefacts for one or more projects.

Technical Influence & Design Assurance

Provide technical direction across multiple work packages/projects to ensure optimal architectural and design decisions. Collaborate with system, hardware, firmware and software architects to drive modularity, reuse and technical excellence. Plan, coordinate and lead internal and external design reviews.

Project Delivery & Stakeholder Management

Lead and report on project elements, balancing requirements, cost and schedule. Manage relationships with customers and external suppliers to ensure process compliance and successful delivery. Produce and review technical proposals, including estimating effort, cost and risk to support bids and contract awards.

Governance, Quality & Continuous Improvement

Review and sign off significant technical documentation; participate in or chair technical reviews. Advocate and improve systems engineering practices across the organisation. Manage secure information in accordance with Government regulations.

Leadership & Capability Growth

Support recruitment, mentor early‑career engineers, and engage in STEM activities. Promote adoption of systems thinking across engineering functions. Develop and maintain subject‑matter expertise in an area of strategic relevance. Carry out Line Management duties, including coaching, development plans and performance improvement.

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent Defence/Aerospace experience. Extensive experience in Systems Engineering, the V‑model, lifecycle models and ISO/IEC/IEEE standards. Proven ability to develop high‑quality requirements and system designs. Demonstrable leadership in delivering full Systems Engineering lifecycle activities. Technical and line management experience within systems engineering teams. Strong technical writing skills and experience conducting formal reviews. Deep knowledge of systems methodologies, processes, tools and technology trends. Experience using DOORS, UML, Enterprise Architect and SysML. Hands‑on background in hardware, software or firmware development-particularly in embedded systems.

Desirable

INCOSE ASEP or CSEP certification. Experience as a subject‑matter expert (SME). Familiarity with NCSC security processes and associated security artefact delivery.

Role Requirements

Hold or have previously held SC security clearance. Willing and able to obtain and maintain DV clearance. Ability to travel within the UK as required. Full, clean UK driving licence.

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