Lead Systems Architect - Mission Planning & Control

ZipRecruiter; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Lead Systems Architect, where you'll shape the future of mission planning and control systems. In this pivotal role, you will lead architectural strategies and influence systems design across a multi-national defense technology program. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system integrity and drive modularity in product lines. Enjoy a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements and career development opportunities. If you're passionate about complex systems and MBSE, this is your chance to make a significant impact.

Benefits

14% combined pension contribution

Paid overtime

15 days flexi leave

25 days holiday

Subsidised meals

Free parking

Career development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Expert-level experience with MBSE methodologies and tools.
• Strong background in complex systems architecture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition of system architectures for mission-critical systems.
• Drive modularity and architectural re-use across product lines.

Skills

Complex Systems Architecture

MBSE

Communication Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Leadership Skills

Systems Thinking

Rapid Learning

Tools

Rhapsody

SysML

IBM Engineering Workflow Management

DOORS Next

Job description

Job Description

Lead Systems Architect – Mission Planning & Control

Bristol | Hybrid working (3–5 days on-site)

£50,000 – £65,000 DOE + Bonus + Benefits

SC Clearance required

Shape the System Behind Mission Success

Are you a Systems Architect with a passion for MBSE and architectural leadership in high-integrity environments? Join a multi-national defence technology programme delivering advanced mission planning and control capabilities that support the future of cruise and anti-ship operations.

You’ll be leading architectural strategy and implementation across a suite of mission-critical products—driving modularity, reusability, and cross-domain system integrity.

Your Role:

As Lead Architect, you’ll be responsible for the end-to-end creation and evolution of all architectural artefacts within the Mission Planning & Control domain of a complex, multi-national weapon system programme. You’ll lead other architects, shape reusable solutions across multiple product streams, and directly influence systems design and integration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the definition of system architectures and MBSE models for mission-critical systems
• Oversee and guide architectural activity across distributed teams
• Drive modularity, standardisation, and architectural re-use across product lines
• Collaborate across multi-functional teams to ensure architectural integrity
• Apply systems thinking to manage complexity across multiple domains
• Produce and maintain artefacts including SysML models, interface definitions, and verification strategies

What You’ll Bring:

• Strong background in complex systems architecture
• Expert-level experience with MBSE methodologies and tools (e.g. Rhapsody, SysML)
• Experience in developing architectures in a product-line or modular environment
• Proficient in IBM Engineering Workflow Management (Rational Team Concert)
• Understanding of DOORS Next
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills
• The ability to rapidly learn and understand complex system behaviours

What’s on Offer:

• Salary circa £50,000 – £65,000 depending on experience
• Bonus up to £2,500 (performance-based)
• 14% combined pension contribution
• Paid overtime, 15 days flexi leave, and 25 days holiday (plus holiday purchase scheme)
• On-site facilities including subsidised meals and free parking
• Career development opportunities and flexible working arrangements

Make an Impact Where It Matters Most

This is a pivotal role for a forward-thinking architect who thrives in highly collaborative, complex system environments. You’ll be part of a team designing the future of tactical decision-making and mission success.

Apply now or contact Neil Tovey at Electus Recruitment for a confidential discussion.

Keywords:

Systems Architect, Lead Architect, MBSE, Mission Planning, Control Systems, System Architecture, SysML, Rhapsody, Rational Team Concert, IBM EWM, DOORS Next , Model-Based Systems Engineering, Weapon Systems, Complex Systems, Defence Engineering, Requirements Management, Architecture Reuse, Modular Design, Systems Engineering Jobs, Bristol

Electus Recruitment Solutions provides specialist engineering and technical recruitment solutions to a number of high technology industries. We thank you for your interest in this vacancy. If you don't hear from us within 7 working days please presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. You are of course free to resubmit your CV/details in the future and we shall assess your suitability at that time.

Due to the nature of work undertaken at our client's site, incumbents of these positions are required to meet special rules and therefore these vacancies are only open to sole British . Applicants who meet this criteria may also be required to undergo security clearance vetting to SC level.

This is a permanent position.