Lead Systems Engineer

Airbus S.A.S.; Broughton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Financial reward

Work-Life Balance

Personal development

Wellbeing

Family & Caregiving

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Airbus Defence and Space in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to define architectures for Milsatcom programmes and tender opportunities. You will report to the Head of Systems Engineering and guide MBSE activities across space, control and ground segments.

Based in Portsmouth with occasional UK travel, the role offers a hybrid working pattern, a path toward Company Expert or Chief Engineer, and a competitive benefits package designed to support personal development and

Qualifications

• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and MBSE tools.
• Understanding of satellite platforms, payloads, and ground segments is preferred.
• Ability to shape technical direction and mentor colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Capture and translate stakeholder needs into system requirements and architectures.
• Provide project management inputs for planning, scheduling and cost activities.
• Inform stakeholders on progress and contribute to technical proposals.

Skills

MBSE

Satellite communications

Systems engineering

Stakeholder collaboration

Tools

MBSE tools

Job description

Lead Systems Engineer

2026-10-19T00:00:00

Location: Lancashire, Lancashire, GB, PR3 5JJ

Company: Airbus Defence and Space

Application Deadline: 2026-11-17T10:00:35.3

Job Description

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Must have or be able to obtain UK Eyes Only SC Security Clearance

TRAVEL REQUIRED: Occasional UK travel, mainly to Stevenage

LOCATION: Portsmouth

TYPE: Full time

What's in it for you

• Financial Reward: Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options, car leasing scheme, free onsite parking, tax-free technology scheme, discounted shopping and much more
• Work / Life Balance: 37 hour week, flexible working around core hours, hybrid working, up to 2 additional days per month as TOIL. No core hours on Friday afternoons, flexible at discretion provided contractual hours are met
• Personal Development: Personalised development plan and unlimited access to 10,000+ E-learning courses, internal mobility including international opportunities
• Health & Wellbeing: Wellbeing benefits (including 24/7 online GP and mental health support), Employee Assistance Programme, discounted family health / dental insurance / eye tests, cycle-to-work scheme, on-site canteen and coffee shop, lunchtime pilates
• Family and Caregiving: Life assurance, enhanced pay for parental leave (23 weeks at 100% pay), adoption / shared parental / caregiving leave
• Inclusive Environment: Wellbeing room, Multi-faith room, Employee Representative Groups (Gender, LGBTQ+, International, Generational, Disability, Social & Cultural Diversity, Neurodiversity)

About the Role

Our world is changing, and so is the mission to protect it. At Airbus, we pioneer for a safe and united world. That means developing cutting-edge sustainable aircraft, and it also means creating the technology that safeguards the sovereignty of nations and the digital space. Your work here defends what matters. So, what's your next mission?

Depending on you, the career progression for this role can be Company Expert or Chief Engineer.

Are you passionate about Satellite communications? Love supporting the direction of technical approaches and technical challenges within projects? Enjoy supporting your colleagues and aspiring to be the "Go-To" person for technical queries within the team? Familiar with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)? Then we have the role for you!

As a Lead Systems Engineer, you will be working on Military Satellite Communications (Milsatcom) alongside a team of Lead Systems Engineers and Architects. Reporting directly to the Head of Systems Engineering, you will provide system architecture definitions for upcoming tender opportunities with the UK MOD (Skynet Enduring Capability) and other Milsatcom programmes — covering the space, control, and ground segments. This is a great opportunity to be involved in diversified programmes shaping the future.

How You Will Contribute to the Team

• Requirements capture and definition from stakeholder needs through to sub-systems; ownership of traceability and collaboration with Engineering Leads and Partners to define segment and sub-system architectures via integrated Working Groups
• Systems Engineering and project management inputs as needed to support planning, scheduling, and cost activities
• Inform stakeholders on progress and resolve problems, alongside technical proposal contributions

About You

• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and appropriate tools
• Working understanding of satellite portfolios including platforms, payloads, satellite control, mission control, and network control
• Passion for shaping technological direction and helping colleagues grow their technical knowledge
• Flexibility towards personal growth and development

How We Can Support You

Many of our staff work flexibly in different ways, including part-time options. Please discuss your needs during the interview. We are committed to adjustments for the selection process — accessible facilities, auxiliary aids, room layout, etc., which will be kept confidential. As a Disability Confident Employer, Airbus UK offers interviews to applicants with disabilities or long-term conditions who meet minimum role criteria. Just select the option during your application, and our Talent Acquisition team will contact you.

This role requires awareness of compliance risks and a commitment to acting with integrity, supporting the company's success, reputation, and sustainable growth.

Additional Details

• Company: Airbus Defence and Space Limited
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Experience Level: Professional
• Job Family: Chief Engineering & Architecture
• Location: Portsmouth
• Type: Full time
• Country: United Kingdom
• Requisition: JR Posting ID: 10943eb82eae06b7f

By submitting your CV or application, you consent to Airbus using and storing your information for monitoring purposes related to your application or future employment. Airbus is committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment, welcoming all applications regardless of background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. We do not ask for monetary exchanges in recruitment and encourage reporting impersonation reports to Airbus. We promote flexible working arrangements to foster innovation.