Senior Systems Architect - Defence & Space in Hampshire, Portsmouth

Senior Systems Architect - Defence & Space in Hampshire, Portsmouth

Portsmouth +1 Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
bynd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and integration of advanced communication systems for Defence & Space.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous leave policies.
  • Other info: Opportunities for industry-recognised training and career progression.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Systems Engineering or related field; experience in RF and SatCom systems.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Role Overview

As a Senior Engineering Consultant, you will provide high-level technical leadership and strategic consultancy within our Defence & Space group. You will be the primary authority on the design, integration, and deployment of complex systems such as Communication Networks, RF systems, and Satellite Communications (SatCom). Your role is to ensure that the MOD's Sense, Decide and Effect capabilities are robust and interoperable. You will lead the development of the technical studies and ideas that allow diverse platforms to communicate effectively within a multi-domain battlespace, ensuring that data is treated as a strategic asset through well-defined Information Exchange Requirements (IERs) and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS).

Key Responsibilities

  • Technical Architecture & Strategy: Lead the design of resilient, secure communication architectures that support multi-domain integration (Air, Land, Sea, and Space).
  • Requirements Authority: Own the development and validation of Information Exchange Requirements (IERs) to ensure technical solutions meet the high-intensity needs of the customer.
  • Systems Integration: Oversee the integration of new C4ISR hardware and software into existing MOD frameworks, advising on the management of the full system lifecycle from concept - prototyping - in service delivery and through life management.
  • Communication Subject Matter Expertise: Act as the lead advisor on all elements of RF Systems management, SatCom Systems management, and Tactical Networking in contested or DIL (Disconnected, Intermittent, Limited) environments.
  • Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicate complex technical strategies and trade-offs to senior customer officials, industry partners, and internal leadership.
  • Mission-Centric Design: Work closely with end-users to develop and test CONOPS for new systems, ensuring that engineering outputs are operationally viable and intuitive.

Requirements Technical Expertise & Experience

  • Communications Expertise: Extensive understanding of RF communications, satellite communication (SatCom), and Tactical Data Links (such as Link 16, Link 22, and VMF). Ability to produce communication link budgets and understand factors such as modulation, coding, channel bandwidth and frequency of operation and how they influence this.
  • Good understanding of high capacity communications link key performance metrics applied across line of sight (LOS) and beyond LOS environments.
  • Good understanding of adaptable and resilient communication networks including MANET systems and the key performance factors that influence Low Probability of Detection/Interception (LPD/I) within a contested environment.
  • Good understanding of the complete end-end system architecture for a communication system including transport through IP networks.
  • MOD Frameworks: Extensive experience navigating MOD ways of working, including knowledge of procurement lifecycles and compliance standards such as JSP 453 and DEF STANs.
  • Defence Background: Proven track record within the MOD, the defence supply chain, or as ex-military, with a clear understanding of MOD enabling organisations and operational requirements.
  • Systems Engineering: A strong grasp of system lifecycle knowledge, prototyping, and usability testing within a rigorous defence engineering environment. Requirements management, system design, integration, test, validation and through life management as examples.
  • Ancillary Knowledge: Familiarity with Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (Air, Surface, Underwater) and how these platforms integrate into a wider network (desirable but not the primary focus).

Core Competencies

  • Strategic Communication: Ability to convey complex engineering concepts to non-technical stakeholders with clarity and influence.
  • Prioritisation & Delivery: Exceptional time management skills, with the ability to lead multiple workstreams and studies to meet stringent project deadlines.
  • Technical Governance: Ability to provide technical sign-off for engineering tasks and mentor Senior Consultants within the group.

Requirements

  • Security Clearance: Must hold, or be eligible for, UK Security Clearance (SC); Developed Vetting (DV) is preferred.
  • Education: Degree in Systems Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.

Benefits

  • Competitive base salary
  • Matching pension scheme (up to 5%) from day one
  • Discretionary company bonus scheme
  • 4 x annual salary Death in Service coverage from day one
  • Employee referral scheme
  • Tech Scheme
  • Private medical Insurance from day one
  • Optical and Dental cashback scheme
  • Help@Hand app: access to remote GP's, second opinions, mental health support, and physiotherapy
  • EAP service
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
  • An extra paid day off for your birthday
  • Ten paid learning days per year
  • Flexible working hours
  • Work from anywhere (up to 3 weeks per year)
  • Industry-recognised training and certifications
  • Bonusly employee recognition and reward platform
  • Clear opportunities for career progression
  • Length of service awards
  • Regular company events

Diversity and Inclusion

At Qodea we champion diversity and inclusion. We believe that a career in IT should be open to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or neurotype. We value the unique talents and perspectives that each individual brings to our team, and we strive to create a fair and accessible hiring process for all.

Locations

PortsmouthHampshire
bynd

Contact Details:

bynd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Systems Architect - Defence & Space in Hampshire, Portsmouth

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

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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

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Systems Architect - Defence & Space in Hampshire, Portsmouth

Technical Leadership
Systems Architecture
Communication Networks
RF Systems Management
Satellite Communications (SatCom)
Information Exchange Requirements (IERs)
Concepts of Operations (CONOPS)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at bynd, 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 bynd, 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 bynd

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 bynd.

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 bynd. 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 bynd love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.