At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in delivering next-gen sensing capabilities for critical defence platforms.
- Company: ALTEN Ltd, a leader in innovative engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Personalised career paths, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse projects, supportive team culture, and commitment to inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or relevant military experience; systems engineering expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Work at the forefront of advanced opto‑electronic and sensor systems supporting some of the UK’s most critical maritime and avionics defence platforms. Join ALTEN Ltd as a Systems Engineer, where you’ll play a key role in delivering next‑generation sensing capabilities that enhance situational awareness and operational resilience. You’ll contribute across the full systems engineering lifecycle, from requirements capture and architecture through to integration, verification and delivery — working on complex, real‑time systems.
Location: Glasgow
On‑site: Hybrid 3/4 Days per week (Glasgow or Edinburgh)
Seniority: 5+ Years of Relevant Experience
Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver systems engineering activities across the full V‑model lifecycle, including requirements, design, integration, verification and validation.
- Capture, manage and maintain system requirements within DOORS, ensuring full traceability to design and test.
- Support and lead system integration activities across embedded software and sensor subsystems.
- Define system architectures, interfaces and functional behaviour.
- Contribute to integration and system‑level test strategy, including planning and execution.
- Participate in design reviews, technical governance and risk‑based decision making.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across software, hardware and systems engineering.
- Support through‑life engineering, including defect management, upgrades and configuration control.
Qualifications Required Skills
- Strong experience in systems engineering within defence, aerospace or safety‑critical environments.
- Proven experience working on the left‑hand side of the V‑model (requirements, design, architecture).
- Hands‑on experience with requirements engineering (elicitation, decomposition, traceability).
- Experience using DOORS or similar requirements management tools.
- Strong understanding of system interfaces, boundaries and integration challenges.
- Experience supporting integration, verification and validation of complex systems.
Soft Skills & Collaboration
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving mindset.
- Confident communicator within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Proactive, self‑starting approach to delivering engineering solutions.
- Comfortable working in structured, process‑driven environments.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.
Desirable Skills
- Experience with opto‑electronic, optical or sensor‑based systems.
- Knowledge of systems modelling techniques (e.g. MBSE, SysML).
- Experience decomposing complex systems into sub‑system architectures.
- Knowledge of real‑time embedded systems.
- Experience contributing to test procedure development and verification activities.
- Background in maritime or defence programmes.
Additional Information
We bring together entrepreneurial, tech‑driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies. At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals. Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.
In short you get:
- A personalised career path and a rewarding management style.
- A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Cycle & Tech Scheme.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Life insurance & Pension Scheme.
- Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings.
- Flexible way of working (role dependent).
We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.
Systems Engineer - Defence in Glasgow employer: ALTEN LTD - UK
ALTEN Ltd is an exceptional employer for Systems Engineers, offering a dynamic work environment in Glasgow that fosters innovation and collaboration on cutting-edge defence projects. With a strong commitment to employee growth through tailored career development, ongoing learning opportunities, and a supportive management style, ALTEN ensures that its team members thrive both personally and professionally. The company also promotes a diverse and inclusive culture, alongside attractive benefits such as private medical insurance, flexible working arrangements, and regular team-building activities, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineer - Defence in Glasgow
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with ALTEN LTD - UK for a Systems Engineer - Defence. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineer - Defence in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at ALTEN LTD - UK, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At ALTEN LTD - UK, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at ALTEN LTD - UK
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with ALTEN LTD - UK.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with ALTEN LTD - UK. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like ALTEN LTD - UK love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
