Senior Systems Architect - Defence & Space in Bristol

As a Senior Engineering Consultant, you will provide high-level technical leadership and strategic consultancy within our Defence & Space group. You will be the primary authority on the design, integration, and deployment of complex systems such as Communication Networks, RF systems, and Satellite Communications (SatCom). Your role is to ensure that the MOD’s Sense, Decide and Effect capabilities are robust and interoperable. You will lead the development of the technical studies and ideas that allow diverse platforms to communicate effectively within a multi-domain battlespace, ensuring that data is treated as a strategic asset through well-defined Information Exchange Requirements (IERs) and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS).

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Architecture & Strategy: Lead the design of resilient, secure communication architectures that support multi-domain integration (Air, Land, Sea, and Space).
• Requirements Authority: Own the development and validation of Information Exchange Requirements (IERs) to ensure technical solutions meet the high-intensity needs of the customer.
• Systems Integration: Oversee the integration of new C4ISR hardware and software into existing MOD frameworks, advising on the management of the full system lifecycle from concept - prototyping - in service delivery and through life management.
• Communication Subject Matter Expertise: Act as the lead advisor on all elements of RF Systems management, SatCom Systems management, and Tactical Networking in contested or DIL (Disconnected, Intermittent, Limited) environments.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicate complex technical strategies and trade-offs to senior customer officials, industry partners, and internal leadership.
• Mission-Centric Design: Work closely with end-users to develop and test CONOPS for new systems, ensuring that engineering outputs are operationally viable and intuitive.

Requirements

• Technical Expertise & Experience
• Communications Expertise: Extensive understanding of RF communications, satellite communication (SatCom), and Tactical Data Links (such as Link 16, Link 22, and VMF).
• Ability to produce communication link budgets and understand factors such as modulation, coding, channel bandwidth and frequency of operation and how they influence this.
• Good understanding of high capacity communications link key performance metrics applied across line of sight (LOS) and beyond LOS environments.
• Good understanding of adaptable and resilient communication networks including MANET systems and the key performance factors that influence Low Probability of Detection/Interception (LPD/I) within a contested environment.
• Good understanding of the complete end-end system architecture for a communication system including transport through IP networks.
• MOD Frameworks: Extensive experience navigating MOD ways of working, including knowledge of procurement lifecycles and compliance standards such as JSP 453 and DEF STANs.
• Defence Background: Proven track record within the MOD, the defence supply chain, or as ex-military, with a clear understanding of MOD enabling organisations and operational requirements.
• Systems Engineering: A strong grasp of system lifecycle knowledge, prototyping, and usability testing within a rigorous defence engineering environment. Requirements management, system design, integration, test, validation and through life management as examples.
• Ancillary Knowledge: Familiarity with Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (Air, Surface, Underwater) and how these platforms integrate into a wider network (desirable but not the primary focus).

Core Competencies

• Strategic Communication: Ability to convey complex engineering concepts to non-technical stakeholders with clarity and influence.
• Prioritisation & Delivery: Exceptional time management skills, with the ability to lead multiple workstreams and studies to meet stringent project deadlines.
• Technical Governance: Ability to provide technical sign-off for engineering tasks and mentor Senior Consultants within the group.

Requirements

• Security Clearance: Must hold, or be eligible for, UK Security Clearance (SC); Developed Vetting (DV) is preferred.
• Education: Degree in Systems Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline.

Benefits

We believe in supporting our team members both professionally and personally. Here's how we invest in you:

• Compensation and Financial Wellbeing: Competitive base salary, matching pension scheme (up to 5%) from day one, discretionary company bonus scheme, 4 x annual salary Death in Service coverage from day one, employee referral scheme, Tech Scheme.
• Health and Wellness: Private medical Insurance from day one, optical and dental cashback scheme, Help@Hand app: access to remote GP's, second opinions, mental health support, and physiotherapy, EAP service, cycle to work scheme.
• Work Life balance and Growth: 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), an extra paid day off for your birthday, ten paid learning days per year, flexible working hours, work from anywhere (up to 3 weeks per year), industry-recognised training and certifications, Bonusly employee recognition and reward platform, clear opportunities for career progression, length of service awards, regular company events.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Qodea we champion diversity and inclusion. We believe that a career in IT should be open to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or neurotype. We value the unique talents and perspectives that each individual brings to our team, and we strive to create a fair and accessible hiring process for all.