Systems Engineer

About Aquila ATMS

At Aquila Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS), we are dedicated to creating a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and excellence thrives. As a joint venture between NATS and Thales, we combine the expertise of leading air traffic control services and global systems integration to deliver cutting-edge solutions in air traffic management.

The Role

We are looking for a full-time Systems Engineer to shape and assure safe, secure and interoperable systems throughout the engineering lifecycle. You will work with customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary teams to turn complex needs into supportable service outcomes, primarily integrating COTS equipment into Air Traffic Services.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Apply INCOSE-aligned systems engineering practices across requirements definition, architecture, interface management, verification, validation, acceptance and transition into service.
• Support bids, projects and change activities through Systems Engineering analysis, option evaluation, trade studies and clear recommendations that balance operational benefit, technical feasibility and through-life outcomes.
• Develop and maintain controlled, traceable engineering artefacts, including requirements, system designs, transition plans, architecture views, interface information, assumptions, decisions, verification evidence and assurance records.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, project teams and technical authorities to deliver safe, secure, resilient, supportable and interoperable solutions.

This hands-on role offers the opportunity to influence engineering decisions and deliver solutions that support Aquila’s objectives.

About You

You are a collaborative Systems Engineering professional with sound judgement and a practical, solutions-focused approach. You communicate clearly, build effective relationships and adapt confidently to technical and organisational challenges.

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• Relevant experience as a Systems Engineer in a similar engineering, project, programme or service lifecycle role.
• Knowledge of systems thinking, requirements engineering, architecture, interface management, verification, validation, acceptance and technical assurance.
• Experience in requirements management, lifecycle governance, change impact assessment and multidisciplinary delivery within a safety-related or regulated environment.
• The ability to communicate and translate complex technical information clearly, manage priorities with limited supervision, assess risk and make evidence-based decisions.

You also:

• Promote Aquila’s Just Culture, reporting incidents, safety non compliance, or potential issues in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Consistently demonstrate behaviours aligned with Aquila’s core values and leadership behaviours in all actions and decisions.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Criteria

• A degree in an engineering, scientific, technology or relevant discipline, an equivalent professional qualification, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Practical experience of integration design, requirements management, traceability, architecture support, interface management and configuration control within a project, programme or service lifecycle environment.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience on large-scale multidisciplinary projects within Air Traffic Management, defence, aviation or another highly regulated environment.
• Experience of integration, verification, validation, acceptance planning, technical assurance and change impact assessment in a safety-related or regulated environment.
• Experience using IBM Rational DOORS or comparable requirements and modelling toolsets as well as standard MS Office 365 suite.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution, professional registration or INCOSE certification.

We support flexible working. This Whiteley-based role requires security clearance, travel to Ministry of Defence bases and other sites, occasional overseas travel, and occasional weekend working.

Benefits

Core Benefits

• 201 hours (approx. 27 days) annual leave + 1 Company Day to be used at Christmas (Excluding Bank Holidays) - Prorated for part time contracts
• Time off to volunteer (up to 3 days per annum)
• Company Pension Plan (Aquila contribution = employee contribution + 1%, up to 7%)
• Life Assurance (2x basic salary or up to 8x if in the pension scheme)
• Income Protection
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support and counselling
• Company paid Private Medical Insurance (Couple cover)
• Variable Compensation Plan (discretionary bonus)

Flexible Benefits

• Through Aquila’s flexible benefits platform, you can tailor your package, including:
• Healthcare Cash Plan options
• Additional PMI cover
• Buy or sell annual leave
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounts at high street retailers
• Family, Wellbeing & Lifestyle
• Enhanced Maternity pay
• Enhanced Paternity leave & pay
• Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Recognition through Altair Award
• Employee referral bonus

Security Clearance Statement

Due to the nature of the work that we do, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a Non-ITAR country may be considered.

Equal Opportunities, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Aquila ATMS is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are made fairly and without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, or any other characteristic protected by law.