At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative maritime autonomy projects and mentor a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join L3Harris, a leader in defence and advanced technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and more.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of autonomous vessels and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading engineering teams and strong systems engineering knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Job Location – Portchester, UK
Job ID – 47276
About this opportunity and L3Harris UK
Operating at 9 sites in the United Kingdom, L3Harris supports Britain's mission to secure and strengthen the country by delivering sovereign innovation across the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains. L3Harris in Portchester are part of our Maritime UK business - a leading global supplier of integrated marine control systems and simulation products for warships, submarines and high-end commercial marine vessels worldwide. Our Maritime UK business has four UK locations and together we are powering the Royal Navy’s adoption of autonomous surface vehicle technology as well as delivering autonomous capability to UK ports, harbours and offshore energy service providers.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to play a key role in the delivery of an innovative maritime autonomy programme. In this position, you will lead the engineering strategy and technical execution required to develop and deliver an autonomous vessel solution, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer requirements, and established engineering processes. As a Senior Engineer, you will lead a small, multidisciplinary team and drive programme success across cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance. You will work closely with Programme and Project Managers to develop new business opportunities, define technical solutions, support bids and cost estimates, and oversee delivery planning. This is an opportunity to lead the development of cutting-edge autonomous maritime capability, working at the forefront of defence and advanced technology. You'll have the autonomy to shape technical direction, influence programme outcomes, and collaborate with experts across multiple engineering disciplines while delivering solutions that make a real operational impact. You will act as the primary engineering interface with customers, providing technical leadership throughout the programme lifecycle while proactively managing risks, resolving issues, and communicating progress through meaningful performance metrics.
A few of our employee benefits are:
- 37.5 hour working week
- Hybrid working where possible, three days onsite per week
- Half day finish on a Friday
- 25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with long service and with the opportunity to buy/sell up to 5 days
- Private medical insurance with optional family cover
- Pension scheme of up to 8% employer contribution
- Life Assurance 4x salary (flexible up to 10x)
- Group income protection
- Flexible opt-in extras such as a health care cash plan, dental insurance, gym membership, critical illness cover, cycle to work scheme, travel insurance and electric car scheme
- Employee Family Assistance Program providing mental health and wellbeing support
- Professional membership reimbursement (discretionary)
What the role will involve
The responsibilities of your role will include the following:
- Lead the engineering strategy and technical delivery of a complex maritime autonomy programme.
- Manage and mentor a cross-functional engineering team to achieve programme objectives.
- Ensure compliance with engineering governance, business processes, and industry standards.
- Collaborate with Programme and Project Managers to define technical scope, delivery plans, and resource requirements.
- Support business development activities, including bid leadership, solution development, and cost estimation.
- Monitor programme performance and provide regular reporting on technical progress, risks, opportunities, and issues.
- Serve as the primary customer point of contact for engineering and technical matters.
- Drive effective systems engineering practices throughout the project lifecycle.
What you’ll bring
The role requires the following experience and skills:
- Proven experience leading engineering teams within complex defence, maritime, aerospace, or highly regulated environments.
- Strong planning, communication, stakeholder management, and coordination skills.
- Excellent understanding of systems engineering principles, including: System context and boundaries, Interfaces and interactions, System hierarchies and decomposition and System partitioning and complexity management.
- Demonstrable experience with requirements engineering, including requirements elicitation, analysis, validation, and management.
- Experience working within Defence programmes and applying Systems Engineering best practices.
- Strong proficiency in engineering tools, including: IBM DOORS (essential) and experience with System Architect and/or IBM Rhapsody would be advantageous.
- Experience leading the technical delivery of bids, proposals, or capture activities.
Desirable Experience
- Background in Software Engineering.
- Experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches and methodologies.
- Knowledge of architectural frameworks such as MODAF and DoDAF.
- Broad engineering awareness with the ability to support and understand adjacent disciplines, including: Safety Engineering, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), Verification & Validation, Systems Integration.
Important to know
Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to government security checks.
Senior Systems Engineer employer: L3Harris
L3Harris Technologies is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment at RAAF Base Edinburgh, where B2 Technicians can thrive in their careers while supporting critical defence capabilities. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and unique benefits such as additional leave options and health insurance discounts, employees are empowered to grow and excel in their roles. Join a highly skilled team dedicated to innovation and excellence in aerospace and defence technology, making a meaningful impact on national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior 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 Systems Engineer role you’re after at L3Harris.
✨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 L3Harris 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 L3Harris.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Senior Systems Engineer at L3Harris, 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 Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior 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 L3Harris 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 L3Harris 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 L3Harris
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with L3Harris, 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 L3Harris 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.
