Aircrew Systems Engineer -Future Combat Air Systems

Dstl is seeking a highly motivatedAircrew Systems Engineerto play a critical role in delivering independent technical advice and assurance on aircrew systems technologies across the UK Air Domain. As part of a team supporting cutting-edge programs likeTeam Tempest,FCAS, andGCAP, this is your opportunity to help influence future combat air capability and ensure the safety and effectiveness of UK military aviators.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

What You’ll Be Doing

• Deliver independent aircrew systems advice and analysis to support MOD procurement, safety certification, and capability development.
• Provide assessments that inform airworthiness, crew systems integration, and engineering authority decisions for next-gen aircraft systems.
• Support MOD stakeholders including FCAS Requirements Managers, DE&S Delivery Teams, Front Line Commands, the MAA, and Aviation Duty Holders.
• Lead technical oversight of industry-led development and research programmes, helping to identify capability gaps, exploitation opportunities, and S&T pull-through routes (including from the Aircrew Systems Research Programme).
• Contribute to safe, innovative aircrew systems integration across life support, human factors, and crew survivability systems.

Person specification

What We’re Looking For

Technical Skills – Essential:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across a diverse stakeholder base.
• Proven experience using a broad variety of analytical techniques to identify problems and define solutions.
• Practical problem-solving ability using common sense and lateral thinking.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate programme challenges and implement effective mitigation.

Experience – Essential:
Candidates should demonstrate experience in most of the following:

• Aircrew Systems Integration
• Life Support Systems
• Crew Escape Systems and Aircrew Equipment, including CBRN Protection
• Aerospace Human Factors
• Aviation Physiology
• Aerospace Medicine
• Experience working with industry partners and managing supplier relationships

Please see full job description in the candidate pack at the bottom of this page for more information.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Behaviours

We\’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,900, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £13,586 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working:Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours:Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work:Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave:25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family:Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development:Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities:Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

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