Field Engineer - Speculative Talent Pipeline in Bristol

We’re building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience. We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision-making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.

Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs around 160 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europe’s fastest-growing engineering businesses.

As a Field Engineer, you’ll play a crucial role in this mission. You’ll work directly with system users, configuring systems for deployment, providing training, testing new features, troubleshooting, and feeding back insights to our engineering teams. In short, you’ll help us build systems people actually want to use.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Configuring, deploying, and supporting systems across C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) capabilities.
• Working closely with Systems Engineers, Software Engineers, Infrastructure Engineers, and Product Owners to test and deploy systems on both UK and overseas exercises.
• Representing the values and standards of Rowden in a customer-facing role.
• Domestic travel and occasional international deployments for periods of 4-6 weeks, up to twice a year, with additional compensation for travel.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Maintenance, transportation, configuration, and deployment of C4ISR and RAS systems.
• First-line support: System configuration, bug reporting, and troubleshooting for deployed users.
• Testing new software features and providing feedback to inform development.
• Communicating with internal engineering functions, external customers, and other stakeholders.
• Delivering scenario-based training, both in classroom and field environments, for system users.

Key skills, experience and behaviours:

Essential

• Must have lived and worked in the UK for the last five years to obtain Government security clearance.
• Proven ability to autonomously support customers, including systematic fault-finding, diagnosis, ad-hoc user training, and on-site provisioning.
• Experience with configuration and use of military HF, VHF and UHF tactical communication systems as either a maintainer or communicator/operator.
• Fundamental knowledge of IP and networking.

Desirable (not essential)

• Familiarity with geospatial applications such as Team Awareness Kit (TAK).
• Understanding of fundamental military Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and organisational structure, particularly in tactical communications deployments.
• Experience with a command line interface to interact with basic Linux functions and scripts.
• Understanding of basic electronics and RF propagation theory.
• A basic understanding of cloud computing environments.

About You:

We’re looking for someone who’s passionate about technology and its application in real-world scenarios. While you’ll gain plenty of experience in this role, you should already have:

• A customer- and user-focused mindset with strong communication skills.
• A passion for delivering value to frontline users.
• A desire to learn and continuously improve.
• Critical analysis and problem-solving abilities.
• Confidence in autonomous working as well as collaborating in cross-functional teams.
• A willingness to perform repetitive tasks to meet project goals.

Working at Rowden:

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are! We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average of 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.

Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.

Finally, if you feel that you don’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!