Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace and Defence

Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace and Defence

Full-Time No working from home possible
Defence

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and test advanced maritime navigation systems for defence applications.
  • 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 the defence sector.
  • Qualifications: Experience in systems engineering and strong problem-solving skills required.

Senior Systems Engineer in Hampshire

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 Systems Engineer - Aerospace and Defence 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.

Defence

Contact Details:

Defence Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace and Defence

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 Defence for a Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace and 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 Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace and Defence

Systems Engineering
Technical Design
Integration
Configuration
Testing of Navigation Systems
Communication Skills
Fault Diagnosis

Some tips for your application 🫡

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

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 Defence.

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