Senior Systems Engineer - Defence, PNT, RF Communications & Sensors

Lead the Design of Next‑Generation Defence & Electronic Warfare Solutions

Our client is seeking experienced Systems Engineers to provide technical leadership across a portfolio of advanced defence capabilities, including Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT), RF communications, and sensor systems. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of system designs for cutting‑edge electronics used in Defence and Electronic Warfare (EW) applications.

As a System Design Authority (SDA), you will guide technical decisions across the full engineering lifecycle - from early‑stage research and prototyping to product delivery and in‑service support. This role is ideal for engineers who thrive in technically demanding environments, make informed trade‑offs quickly, and communicate confidently with both customers and cross‑functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop an in‑depth understanding of current Electronic Warfare products and future capability roadmaps.
• Act as System Design Authority on complex projects, shaping solutions from R&D concept to delivered and supported systems.
• Provide systems engineering leadership to multidisciplinary teams delivering:
  • Science & technology research
  • Solution and product development
  • Equipment trials and experimentation
  • Business development activities and competitive bids
• Strengthen customer relationships by providing expert technical guidance throughout delivery.
• Provide technical assurance across internal programmes and, when required, on behalf of customers.
• Work closely with project management and customers to ensure delivery to time, cost, performance, and quality, while managing technical risks.
• Support rapid prototyping for Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs).
• Operate flexibly across office, customer locations, shared workspaces, and home-working, with occasional overseas travel.

Essential Skills & Experience

• BEng/BSc or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of sensor and communication systems.
• Proven experience delivering systems engineering activities and leading cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Experience working across the full product development lifecycle, from concept through delivery and in‑service support.

Desirable Skills & Experience

Electronic Warfare (EW) Knowledge

• Electronic Attack (EA)
• Electronic Surveillance (ES)
• ECM, ESM, RF Cyber
• Middleware and radio bearers

System‑Level Engineering Expertise

• Hardware, firmware, and software integration
• DSP, FPGAs, algorithmic processing
• Software Defined Radios (SDR), RF systems & antennas

Engineering Frameworks & Tools

• Familiarity with open standards (STICS, MORA, OpenCPI, SOSA, OpenVPX)
• Experience with methodologies such as Waterfall, Agile, SAFe, Spiral
• Strong skills in risk identification, mitigation, and RAIDO management

Why Join?

• Competitive salary
• Flexible benefits package covering:
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Savings & protection
  • Lifestyle and leisure options
• Collaborative and inclusive engineering culture with active technical communities and innovation forums
• Flexible working arrangements supported
• Organisation committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible and willing to obtain SC Clearance, requiring British citizenship and 5 years of UK residency.