At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative scientific instruments and solve complex engineering challenges.
- Company: Join Agilent, a leader in R&D with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for career advancement and mentoring opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cutting-edge technology while working with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Physics and experience in Systems Engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Job Description
Agilent is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join our R&D organisation in Harwell, UK.
This role is responsible for providing system-level technical leadership across the development of complex scientific instrumentation, working closely with multidisciplinary teams spanning software, firmware, electronics, mechanical engineering, applications, and operations.
The successful candidate will combine strong technical depth with broad systems-thinking capability, enabling them to understand complex interactions across subsystems, drive integration activities, resolve challenging technical issues, and ensure successful delivery of innovative products.
This is a highly collaborative role suited to an engineer who enjoys working across organisational boundaries, influencing technical direction, and turning complex engineering challenges into robust product solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Systems Architecture & Requirements
- Define, capture, and manage system-level requirements.
- Translate customer, scientific, and business needs into technical specifications.
- Support development of product architectures and subsystem interfaces.
- Drive system-level design reviews and technical risk assessments.
- Ensure traceability between requirements, implementation, verification, and product performance.
- System Integration & Technical Leadership
- Lead integration of hardware, firmware, software, and mechanical subsystems into complete instrument solutions.
- Act as a technical focal point across multiple engineering disciplines.
- Drive resolution of complex cross-functional technical challenges.
- Facilitate effective communication between development teams and stakeholders.
- Support strategic technical decision making throughout the product lifecycle.
- Verification, Validation & Performance
- Define system verification and validation strategies.
- Develop test approaches to demonstrate system performance against requirements.
- Identify and manage technical risks early in the development cycle.
- Ensure robust engineering practices are applied throughout product development.
- Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
- Lead investigation of complex system issues using structured troubleshooting methodologies.
- Perform system-level fault finding across software, firmware, electronics, optics, mechanics, and instrument control systems.
- Drive root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
- Support customer escalations and sustaining engineering activities where required.
- Team Development
- Provide coaching and mentoring to engineers across disciplines.
- Contribute to the development of systems engineering best practices within the organisation.
- Support the technical development of project teams.
- Potentially undertake line management responsibilities depending on experience and organisational needs.
Qualifications
- Required
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
- Significant experience in a Systems Engineering role within a complex product development environment.
- Demonstrated success integrating multidisciplinary systems involving hardware, firmware, and software.
- Strong experience in system-level troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence technical decisions across multiple engineering disciplines.
- Preferred
- Electrical or Electronic Engineering background.
- Previous experience developing scientific instruments, analytical instrumentation, medical devices, semiconductor equipment, or other complex electromechanical systems.
- Experience with requirements management and systems engineering methodologies.
- Exposure to model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and approaches.
- Previous line management, team leadership, or technical leadership experience.
- Experience working within a global R&D organisation.
- Additional Details
This job has a full time weekly schedule.
Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location.
Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
During the hiring process, a recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for a preferred location.
Pay and benefit information by country are available at: https://careers. agilent. com/locations Agilent Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.
Travel Required
10% of the Time
Shift
Day
Duration
No End Date
Job Function
- R&D
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Systems Engineer in Harwell employer: Agilent
Agilent Technologies is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the life sciences sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, Agilent provides numerous growth opportunities through leadership training and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that team members thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the UK and Ireland, employees benefit from a flexible work culture that supports remote working options, allowing for a balanced and fulfilling career while contributing to meaningful advancements in scientific research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Systems Engineer in Harwell
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Senior Systems Engineer role you’re after at Agilent.
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Agilent.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Systems Engineer in Harwell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior Systems Engineer, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Agilent a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Agilent specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Agilent
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Agilent, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Agilent want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
