At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Systems Engineer and work on cutting-edge defence projects.
- Company: ALTEN, a global leader in engineering and technology consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a personalised career path, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with diverse projects and ongoing learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical maritime and avionics defence platforms.
- Qualifications: Strong systems engineering experience in defence or aerospace required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement and support sustainable transformation.
Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.
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 and 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
ALTEN is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, providing engineers with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects in the defence sector. Located in Glasgow, employees benefit from a hybrid working model, a personalised career path, and a supportive environment that encourages professional growth through ongoing learning and mentoring. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ALTEN values the unique perspectives of its team members, 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at ALTEN on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on systems engineering concepts, especially those related to defence and aerospace. Show us you know your stuff and can talk about real-world applications of your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on technical skills; highlight your soft skills too! Being a confident communicator and a proactive problem-solver is key in multidisciplinary teams, so make sure to share examples during your chats with us.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the ALTEN team and building tomorrow’s world today.
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineer - Defence in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Systems Engineer role. Highlight your experience in systems engineering, especially within defence or aerospace, and show how your skills align with the job description.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on projects that demonstrate your hands-on experience with requirements engineering and system integration. Use specific examples to illustrate your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at ALTEN
✨Know Your Systems Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your systems engineering principles, especially the V-model lifecycle. Be ready to discuss your experience with requirements capture, design, and integration, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with DOORS
Since the job mentions using DOORS for requirements management, it’s a good idea to get comfortable with this tool or similar ones. Be prepared to explain how you've used it in past projects to ensure traceability and manage system requirements.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
ALTEN values analytical minds, so think of examples where you've tackled complex challenges in defence or aerospace. Highlight your proactive approach and how you’ve collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to deliver solutions.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to system interfaces, integration challenges, and verification processes. Brush up on your knowledge of opto-electronic systems and be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have in this area.
