Principal Electronic Systems Architect

SoCode; Town of Cambridge; Hybrid; AUD 147,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

SoCode is seeking a Principal Electronic Systems Architect in the Cambridge area. This senior role combines deep electronic warfare expertise with hands-on system integration across RF, signal processing, FPGA and software.

You’ll set architectures for deployable EW systems, engage with government and industry partners, help scope bids, contribute to proposals, mentor engineers, and represent the capability at trials and conferences.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience architecting electronic warfare systems in product development, defence tech or systems engineering settings.
• Deep capability in at least one core area (system architecture, RF, signal processing, FPGA or software).
• Solid grasp of threat landscapes, operational contexts and counter architectures.
• Proven track record contributing to bids and technical proposals; ownership of complex programmes.

Responsibilities

• Set the architecture for deployable EW systems across RF, electronics, signal processing, FPGA and software.
• Contribute technically to bids and proposals; shape opportunities and technical direction.
• Lead and mentor engineers; engage with government, defence partners and technology teams.
• Support live trials, demonstrations, and represent the capability at conferences and papers.

Skills

EW architecture

RF

Signal processing

FPGA

Software

Bid/proposal work

Stakeholder engagement

Security clearance (DV)

Job description

Principal Electronic Systems Architect

Cambridge area | Hybrid (3 days on site)

up to £85k + package

We’re working with a technology-led engineering consultancy and product developer in the Cambridge area that is growing its electronic warfare capability. They’re looking for a systems architect who wants to shape that capability as well as deliver it.

This is a senior technical role for someone who pairs deep EW knowledge with a broad grasp of the wider engineering picture. You’ll set the architecture for deployable systems, working across RF and electronics, signal processing, FPGA, software and mechanical disciplines, and stay hands‑on where it counts. You’ll also have a real say in the direction of the business: helping scope new opportunities, contributing to technical proposals, and feeding into a capability roadmap alongside product, delivery and commercial colleagues.

The work doesn’t stop at the desk. You’ll support live trials and demonstrations with customers and partners, with some international travel, and you’ll be a visible technical voice for the business through conferences, talks and papers. There’s also scope to mentor engineers across the organisation and, over time, to lead a small group of technical leads.

What You’ll Bring

• Substantial experience architecting electronic warfare systems, ideally in a product development, defence technology or systems engineering setting
• Real depth in at least one core area (system architecture, RF, signal processing, FPGA or software), with enough breadth to see how it all comes together in an operational system
• A solid grasp of the threat landscape, operational context and the architectures used to counter it
• A record of contributing technically to bids and proposals, and of taking ownership of complex technical programmes through to results
• Confidence engaging with government, defence industry and technology partners, as well as getting into the detail with engineers
• Comfort working at pace in a dynamic environment
• Willingness and eligibility to obtain the highest levels of UK security clearance (DV)

Also Valued

• An established network across government, defence and technology communities, in the UK and abroad
• Experience of trials, demonstrations or operational evaluations
• Maritime EW exposure
• Line management experience

If you’d like to work at the sharp end of defence technology, with the chance to shape both the products and the direction of a growing capability, this could be the role for you.