Systems Integration & Test Lead in London

Systems Integration & Test Lead (Maritime/Defence Technology) We're working with an innovative defence technology client looking to appoint a Systems Integration & Test Lead to take ownership of integration and test across complex, next generation maritime and autonomous systems. This is an opportunity for an experienced SI&T professional with a background in Royal Navy, maritime or naval autonomy programmes to play a key role in designing, integrating and testing advanced autonomous products. You'll be responsible for leading integration and test on significant programmes while developing a reusable test and evaluation capability that will underpin future engineering projects across the business. You'll bring hands-on experience designing, building and executing tests on complex maritime systems, alongside the technical leadership to establish best practice and raise engineering standards across the organisation. Key Responsibilities Lead the integration and test of complex systems incorporating software, hardware, networks, radios, sensors and user devices. Design and execute rigorous, repeatable test strategies for rapidly evolving maritime autonomous products and systems. Develop reusable test infrastructure, automation frameworks, simulation and emulation environments, and hardware-in-the-loop capability. Automate test execution, data capture and analysis to improve engineering feedback and system performance. Work closely with systems, software, hardware and product engineering teams to ensure testability is embedded throughout the development lifecycle. Establish consistent integration, verification and validation processes, including defect management and full lifecycle closure. Provide technical leadership across SI&T, developing engineering standards, methodologies and best practice for use across multiple programmes. Essential Experience Proven experience in systems integration and test engineering across complex hardware, software and communications based systems. Ideally, a background in Royal Navy, maritime defence, naval autonomy, uncrewed surface or underwater systems, or other maritime technology programmes. Demonstrable experience designing, building and executing test regimes for real-world autonomous or mission-critical products. Strong understanding of distributed communications systems, including network performance, communications bearers and spectrum-related trade-offs. Practical test automation and scripting experience, ideally using Python, alongside CI/CD, version control and modern engineering tooling. Experience with test infrastructure such as hardware-in-the-loop, simulation, emulation, network impairment, instrumentation or automated test frameworks. The ability to lead technically, establish engineering standards and develop reusable capabilities across multiple programmes. Desirable Experience RF, communications, electronic warfare or sensing technologies. Defence, Royal Navy, aerospace, space or other safety or mission-critical environments. Autonomous systems, robotics, uncrewed platforms or maritime sensor integration. Model-based systems engineering or formal verification and validation within regulated environments. The Opportunity This is a hands on technical leadership position for someone who wants to influence how complex defence systems are designed, integrated and tested. You'll have the opportunity to shape the SI&T discipline, build capability from the ground up and contribute directly to the delivery of advanced maritime autonomous technology. If you have a background in maritime or naval autonomy and are looking to take ownership of integration and test across cutting-edge defence programmes, we'd be keen to hear from you.

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