Systems Team Lead in Cove

DXC Technology is committed to building diverse, inclusive teams. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage interest from women, underrepresented groups, and neurodivergent candidates. We offer reasonable adjustments throughout the hiring process and are dedicated to creating a supportive, accessible environment for everyone.

Location: Farnborough (onsite 5 days per week)

Security Clearance: Due to the secure nature of the work and our customer requirement, candidates are required to hold DV clearance.

The Systems Team Lead is responsible for owning and governing the end-to-end verification and validation (V&V) strategy for the systems engineering function. The role ensures that all system-level requirements, interfaces, behaviours, and performance characteristics are validated through robust testing and evidence-based assurance activities. Acting as the authority for test readiness, coverage, traceability, and system maturity, the Systems Team Lead works across engineering disciplines to ensure programmes deliver compliant, reliable, and fully validated systems. The role provides leadership, governance, and oversight of testing activities from planning through to final acceptance and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Verification & Validation Strategy
  • Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the system-level verification and validation strategy.
  • Define verification methods, acceptance criteria, compliance requirements, and evidence collection processes.
  • Ensure verification and validation activities align with programme objectives, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.
  • Establish governance for test planning, execution, reporting, and approval activities.
• Test Planning & Management
  • Lead the development of comprehensive test plans, test specifications, and test cases.
  • Define integration, functional, performance, environmental, safety, and acceptance testing approaches.
  • Coordinate testing activities across multiple engineering teams and programme workstreams.
  • Ensure test schedules align with programme milestones and delivery commitments.
• Integration & Test Execution
  • Oversee the execution of system integration and validation activities.
  • Coordinate engineering, software, hardware, and integration teams to support successful test delivery.
  • Ensure testing is conducted in controlled environments using approved processes and methodologies.
  • Manage test readiness reviews and provide approval for progression through key programme gates.
• Defect & Issue Management
  • Lead defect identification, investigation, prioritisation, and resolution activities.
  • Facilitate collaboration between engineering teams to resolve technical issues efficiently.
  • Monitor defect trends and drive corrective actions to improve overall product quality.
  • Ensure critical defects are managed appropriately and closed within agreed timescales.
• Requirements Traceability & Compliance
  • Maintain complete traceability between requirements, test cases, test results, and supporting evidence.
  • Ensure compliance with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations.
  • Support audits, reviews, and quality assurance assessments.
  • Maintain accurate verification compliance matrices and evidence repositories.
• Reporting & Stakeholder Management
  • Provide clear and accurate reporting on test progress, defect status, risks, coverage, and system readiness.
  • Present programme readiness assessments to senior leadership and governance boards.
  • Communicate technical risks, testing constraints, and mitigation plans to key stakeholders.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for system test and validation matters.
• Test Environment & Capability Management
  • Ensure test environments, integration rigs, laboratories, tools, and instrumentation are available and fit for purpose.
  • Manage the planning and utilisation of testing resources and facilities.
  • Support investment planning for future testing capabilities and infrastructure.
  • Champion best practices in test automation, test data management, and validation methodologies.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across testing, validation, and assurance activities.
  • Promote the adoption of automation, standardisation, and efficiency improvements.
  • Capture lessons learned from programmes and implement improvements across future projects.
  • Support the development of testing competencies and capability within the engineering organisation.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience leading system verification, validation, integration, or testing activities within a complex engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and lifecycle management.
• Experience developing and executing verification and validation strategies.
• Knowledge of requirements management and traceability processes.
• Experience managing test programmes, defect resolution, and technical risk.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into robust test plans and acceptance criteria.

At DXC Technology, we believe strong connections and community are key to our success. Our work model prioritises in-person collaboration while offering flexibility to support wellbeing, productivity, individual work styles, and life circumstances. We're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.