Expert Services – Systems Engineer in Manchester

Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support

Salary: 46400 per annum (plus generous benefits)

Grade: Professional II

Working Pattern: Full time / Part time / Job Share / Flexible Working

Contract Type: Permanent

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) supplies and maintains vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. We deliver a wide range of essential defence programmes and strive for what’s next, keeping our military at the top of their game and our nation safe for today and tomorrow. We offer 25 days holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97% to help make work work for you.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and to obtain a Security Check (SC) security clearance without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you are recruited for. If the required clearance is not obtained within 12 months, any conditional offer may be withdrawn.

Overview

As an Expert Services – Systems Engineer (ES-SE) you will play a pivotal role in delivering the future of Systems and Mission Systems Engineering. You will collaborate with colleagues and clients to scope and deliver critical activities while responding to emerging challenges across Land, Maritime, Air, Weapons and Space. You will be based in Manchester (attendance nominally one day per week) and the role may involve some travel within the UK. Occasional overnight stays may be required depending on team or client needs.

Responsibilities

• Scope systems engineering tasks based on the risk and complexity of the system and acquisition approach.
• Prepare accurate costed proposals, negotiate and secure resource commitment, and deliver high‑quality products to stringent time, cost and quality levels.
• Evaluate the problem space, collect and analyse data, and deliver problem resolution.
• Support implementation of recommendations to deliver the predicted high‑value benefits.
• Identify and analyse technical hazards and project impacts, and contribute to risk reduction measures ensuring they are adequately documented and managed.
• Provide expert advice and support to clients and stakeholders, helping them to understand and correctly frame their requirements.
• Select appropriate tools, processes or methods in uncertain situations based on experience and expertise.
• Identify opportunities to implement best practice.
• Manage and participate in assurance audits and reviews.
• Offer technical leadership and expert guidance to clients and stakeholders to enhance capability and effectiveness of deliverables, ensuring solutions are properly understood and effectively exploited.

Person Specification

Essential criteria:

• Wide‑ranging depth and breadth of experience delivering successful systems engineering outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading the delivery of successful systems engineering outcomes.
• Professional registration as IEng (or equivalent) or equivalent experience, with the expectation that such registration will be achieved within 12 months of joining permanently.

Additional technical competences and behaviours assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Leadership
• Core Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace
• Technical Competence 1: PMPC Stakeholder Management Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: ECF01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking Practitioner

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (up to 30 days)
• 8 bank holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market‑leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance‑based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Further Information

Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission Candidate Information Pack: and Conditions Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice. Disability Confident: We are a Disability Confident Leader and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Conflicts of Interest: Successful candidates must declare any outside interests prior to formal offer.

Selection Process Details

• Pre‑sift – Check that you meet essential or eligibility criteria listed in the Person Specification section.
• Sift – CV assessed on Key Achievements, Relevant Experience, and Applied Knowledge and Skills.
• Interview – Assessment against Sift categories and technical competences and behaviours.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. For complaints, contact the department via email or the Civil Service Commission. Offering at a lower level may be considered for unsuccessful interview candidates.