Principal Systems Engineering Consultant in Harston

About Us

Sagentia Defence provides science and technology consultancy expertise to help solve the most complex challenges faced by mission‑critical defence programmes. Working as an independent and agnostic advisor, we are a trusted customer friend to the MOD with comprehensive defence experience: our defence sector experience spans over 60 years. Our defence practice works in partnership with national government bodies, international institutions and global prime contractors on developing and leveraging next‑generation technologies, enterprise transformation, feasibility analysis, system engineering, and programme delivery across S&T, Maritime, Air, Land, Joint, and defence digital projects.

Sagentia Defence has a track record of success, as a trusted partner to customers within highly regulated Government programmes. As a result, we are looking for a new Principal Systems Engineering Consultant within our Systems & Supportability Engineering (S&SE) team. As a Principal Consultant you will work closely with the Head of Systems Engineering, supporting the day‑to‑day management of the team, set Systems Engineering strategy and deliver multi‑disciplinary support to some of the most complex Government programmes. The S&SE team manage requirements at all stages of the Systems Engineering lifecycle, including elicitation of capability/user requirements, generation/management of system requirements, testing and acceptance.

What we’re looking for

The right applicant for this role will be someone who has a Consultancy or Defence background, with the ability to work autonomously or within engineering and cross‑functional teams. As a Principal Systems Engineering Consultant you will be responsible for:

• Vision and Strategy: Assisting in setting the vision and strategy for the department in collaboration with the other capabilities. Ensuring that it is aligned with the wider Sagentia Defence vision and strategy.
• Team leadership: Motivating, coaching and managing the performance of team members. Leading team meetings to share knowledge, co‑ordinate activities, pursue opportunities and address issues.
• Technical Assurance: Working on projects, providing technical guidance and review to ensure project deliverables are of a high quality and meet customers’ expectations.
• Capability Development: Developing and maintaining S&SE service offerings aligned to account demand signal and collaborating with other departments to ensure services are coherent across the business.
• Requirements Engineering and Management: Across all DLoDS System and System of Systems Architecture MBSE Integrated Logistics/Product Support Engineering Management Engineering Governance.
• Business Development: Supporting Account Leads by writing technical approaches within bids and presenting to prospective customers. Collaborating with Account Leads to identify need for new capability across all our customers.
• Training and Development: Coaching people on the use of Systems Engineering and techniques. Staying at the forefront of the profession, we encourage career development through attendance to conferences, steering committees and tailored training and development as and when required.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

To be successful in this role you will need the following skills and experience:

• Experience of working on the left side or sharp point of the V model.
• Firm understanding of requirements management across all Defence Lines of Development, with experience across Operating Domains.
• Delivering Requirements Engineering, Integrated Logistical Support, MBSE, and Engineering Governance in a consultancy context.
• Experience of requirements management within the UK MOD (Frontline Commands or Delivery Agents).
• Knowledge of the UK acquisition framework (e.g. Business Cases, URD, SRD, CONEMP/CONUSE, ITEAP, etc.)
• Experience of DOORS/Dimensions RM software to support requirements management.
• Understanding of modern SE approaches like MBSE.
• Understanding of complex system of system projects and programmes, especially with respect to integration activities and SoS performance setting and acceptance.
• Capability Development of new tools and techniques.
• Providing technical guidance and reviews to ensure project deliverables are of a high quality and meet customers’ expectations.
• Leading teams in a consultancy setting.
• Contributing and leading successful bids/technical proposals.
• Ideally be a member of INCOSE (ASEP OR CSEP).

If you are interested in applying for this role, candidates must have:

• An existing right to live and work in the UK.
• Either hold a current SC clearance or be willing and eligible to undergo a Security Clearance check (SC level) upon starting their employment with the company. To gain SC clearance you will normally need at least 5 years’ UK residency.
• Degree level qualification or relevant experience.
• Significant experience as a Systems Engineer in MOD or defence‑related projects.

Benefits

At Sagentia Defence, we believe in rewarding our people and supporting their wellbeing. Alongside our competitive salaries we offer a comprehensive benefits package including Company Profit Share Scheme, Generous Holiday Allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, 24 Hour access to GP and Mental Health support along with access to hundreds of high street discounts, private healthcare and more. As a consultancy our people are our biggest asset, and we aim to nurture and develop our staff to achieve their full potential.