At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and test advanced maritime navigation systems for naval platforms.
- Company: Leading organisation in maritime technology with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and health insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team and make a real impact in defence technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in systems engineering and strong problem-solving skills required.
Senior Systems Engineer - Maritime & Navigation Systems
Full-time | Permanent | £60,000-£80,000 DOE
Hybrid flexibility with onsite requirements
About the Opportunity
An industry-leading organisation specialising in advanced maritime navigation and mission systems is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join their UK engineering team. This company supports a wide range of vessels and platforms across defence and commercial markets, delivering cutting-edge navigation, surveillance, and bridge system technologies globally. You'll join a collaborative engineering environment where innovation, problem-solving, and professional development are at the heart of what they do.
The Role
As a Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for the technical design, integration, configuration and testing of complex navigation and maritime systems used on naval platforms and surveillance networks. This is a hands-on technical role requiring strong communication skills and the ability to work independently while supporting wider project teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Produce high-quality technical documentation including requirements, design specifications, SoW, V&V documents, and interface descriptions
- Build, configure and test complete systems
- Maintain expert knowledge of existing products and provide guidance to service engineers on commissioning, diagnostics, maintenance, and repair
- Interpret and flow down system-level requirements, ensuring alignment with CONOPS and architectural constraints
- Produce technical proposals in response to customer requirements
- Carry out installation, commissioning, and setting-to-work activities when required
- Support project managers and make informed technical decisions within contract scope
- Conduct fault diagnosis and system trials on customer sites or naval platforms (UK and overseas)
- Provide telephone and email technical support to customers and service partners
- Deliver operator and maintenance training as required
Experience Required
- Strong systems engineering experience within marine electronics, navigation systems, radar, electronic charts, navigation aids, or steering control systems
- Hands-on experience building, configuring, and fault-finding PC-based systems and networks
- Competent user of DOORS, SVN, MS Office, Visio, JIRA
Desirable Skills
- Configuration and testing of network infrastructure (switching, routing, encryption, VLANs, VMs, security)
- Knowledge of cyber standards relevant to naval environments (e.g. JSP440/604/490, NCSC guidance, NIST, ISO 27001)
- Understanding of naval systems integration standards
- Membership of a recognised engineering body (IET, INCOSE)
- Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Passion for continuous learning and new technologies
Personal Requirements
- Must have the Right to Work in the UK (no sponsorship available)
- Able to obtain SC security clearance
- Strong initiative, accountability, and technical judgement
Education
- HNC, Degree or equivalent in Electrical & Electronic Engineering or similar technical discipline
Benefits
- Competitive salary £60,000-£80,000, dependent on experience
- Company pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave + public/bank holidays
- Private medical insurance
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Flexitime and the option for a nine-day fortnight (average 37.5 hours/week)
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Cycle to Work scheme & tech salary sacrifice options
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Holiday trading (5 days)
- Supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
How to Apply
Please submit your CV (and optional cover letter) in response to this advert. Successful applicants will be required to undergo SC security clearance.
Senior Engineering Systems Engineer employer: Defence
As a Systems Engineer at our Bristol location, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering cutting-edge training systems in a secure environment. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities to help you advance your career. Join us for a rewarding experience where your contributions directly impact the success of our projects and the safety of our nation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Engineering Systems Engineer
✨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 Engineering Systems Engineer role you’re after at Defence.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Defence a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨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 Defence.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Senior Engineering Systems Engineer at Defence, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineering Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior Engineering 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 Defence 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 Defence 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 Defence
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Defence, 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 Defence 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.
