Junior Systems Engineer

NATS Limited; Prestwick; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading air navigation service provider in the UK is seeking an Engineering Support professional to assist in asset sustainment and transformation projects within the Flight Data Domain. Candidates should have a Higher National Certificate in Engineering or IT, solid experience in systems engineering, and be capable of producing operational documentation. This role offers a flexible work model with opportunities for remote work.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Modern office facilities

Total reward package

Qualifications

• HNC or equivalent in Engineering or Information Technology required.
• Experience in systems engineering or support roles, ideally in safety-critical environments.
• Foundational understanding of systems engineering lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing system requirements and design proposals.
• Take ownership of engineering deliverables.
• Support planning and execution of system tests.

Skills

Systems engineering experience

Teamworking skills

Problem-solving ability

Education

Higher National Certificate in Engineering or IT

Tools

C

C++

Python

Unix/Linux

Microsoft Office

Job description

External Job Description

NATS is the UK's leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK, as well as a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe

Job Purpose
Supporting engineering activities within a designated Domain/Capability. Assisting in asset and transformation projects-ensuring solutions meet performance, operational, and safety standards while building expertise through training and mentoring. Initially delivering smaller tasks and, as skills develop, assume responsibility for larger activities under supervision

This role supports asset sustainment and transformation projects within the Flight Data Domain, including systems such as Flight Data, Visualisation, Queue Management, Capacity Management, Separation Tooling, Datalink, and Trajectory & Flow Management

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and managing system requirements, interfaces, and design proposals
• Contribute to engineering deliverables and take ownership of work packages
• Support planning, execution, and documentation of system and acceptance tests
• Collaborate with engineers and project teams to clarify technical requirements and coordinate activities
• Provide input to documentation sets including System Architecture, Risk Assessments, and Safety and Assurance
• Participate in reviews to ensure alignment with safety and assurance plans
• Stay current with industry trends and contribute to system improvements
• Where appropriate, support software engineering tasks and build domain-specific expertise

Desirable Experience

• Systems engineering experience in delivery/maintenance of Flight Data systems
• Experience with C, C++, Python, and other structured languages
• Experience using Unix/Linux
• Strong teamworking skills and ability to balance quality vs time
• Familiarity with the Software Engineering Lifecycle
• Understanding the role of Flight Data within Air Traffic Management
• Ability to produce operational documentation and work instructions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools

Essential Skills and Experience

• The post holder is expected to hold, as a minimum, a Higher National Certificate in an Engineering or Information Technology related discipline, and relevant experience. Job holders not holding the expected qualification but who have undertaken structured technical training (e.g. apprenticeship recognised by a professional body) with recognised qualification ideally to at least HNC equivalent level will also be considered
• Experience in systems engineering or support roles within a technical environment, ideally within a safety-critical or real-time environment
• A foundational understanding of technical concepts within the Domain/Capability, the systems engineering lifecycle, and the relevant technical standards
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability, understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle, effective communication skills, and a learning-focussed attitude. Software engineering skills are desirable dependent on role

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally - for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit - Why NATS?

We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. Find out more here

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe - we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry
#LI-IS1