Lead Systems Engineer

Copello; West of England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Copello partners with a leading international defence organisation to hire an experienced Lead Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team across systems, software and hardware engineering, supporting verification, validation and certification of complex defence products.

The role focuses on planning verification activities, developing test strategies, and generating robust technical evidence to support acceptance and delivery to customers; you will collaborate across Systems, Software, Mechanical

Qualifications

• Experience in verification or test environments across systems, software and hardware.
• Strong systems engineering fundamentals and requirements discipline.
• Ability to generate robust technical evidence and reports.
• Experience with V&V and product certification.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute verification activities across the lifecycle.
• Develop test strategies, procedures and verification scenarios.
• Collaborate with Systems, Software, Mechanical and Electrical teams.
• Identify and manage defects from verification and validation.
• Own tasks and deliver against schedule, cost, quality and performance.
• Manage requirements, verification scenarios and evidence using DOORS and Rhapsody.
• Work hands-on in lab environments with software, test equipment and hardware.
• Support product acceptance, certification and customer delivery with evidence.
• Respond to technical queries from customers and stakeholders.
• Review and validate technical publications reflecting requirements.
• Contribute to documentation and peer reviews.
• Build strong relationships across the wider organisation.

Skills

Verification management

Systems engineering

Requirements engineering

Hardware design

Testing procedures

V&V

Technical reporting

Communication

Tools

IBM DOORS

IBM Rhapsody

Job description

Copello are partnering with a leading international defence organisation to support the continued growth of their engineering function. We are currently looking for an experienced Lead Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team working across systems, software and hardware engineering, supporting the verification, validation and certification of complex defence products.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys working across the full product lifecycle and wants to be involved in the hands‑on verification of sophisticated systems. You'll play a key role in ensuring products meet their defined requirements and that robust technical evidence is generated to support acceptance, certification and delivery to customers.

The Role

As a Lead Engineer, you'll be responsible for planning and delivering verification activities, developing test strategies and procedures, investigating faults and supporting the resolution of technical queries.

The role offers a broad mix of activities, from requirements engineering and test development through to laboratory‑based testing, technical reporting and stakeholder engagement. You'll work closely with engineers across Systems, Software, Mechanical and Electrical disciplines, giving you exposure to a wide range of technologies and engineering challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute verification activities throughout the design and development lifecycle.
• Develop effective test strategies, test procedures and verification scenarios against system and software requirements.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams, including Systems, Software, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
• Identify, record and manage defects arising from verification and validation activities, working with development teams to drive effective resolution.
• Take ownership of allocated engineering tasks and work packages, ensuring delivery against agreed schedule, cost, quality and performance objectives.
• Manage requirements, verification scenarios, test procedures and supporting evidence using engineering requirements management tools such as IBM DOORS and IBM Rhapsody.
• Work hands‑on within laboratory environments, operating software, test equipment and electronic hardware under test.
• Support product acceptance, certification and customer delivery by generating and maintaining robust technical evidence.
• Respond to technical queries from customers and internal stakeholders, supporting effective engineering decision‑making.
• Review and validate technical publications to ensure they accurately reflect product requirements and behaviour.
• Contribute to documentation and technical peer reviews.
• Build strong working relationships across the wider international defence organisation.

What We're Looking For

We're interested in engineers with a strong systems engineering foundation and experience working within requirements, verification or test environments.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Experience using requirements and verification management tools, particularly IBM DOORS or similar.
• A good understanding of systems engineering principles, processes and practices.
• Experience or understanding of requirements engineering at System, Subsystem or Component level.
• Knowledge of hardware design and development, with an appreciation of how hardware and software interact within complex systems.
• Experience developing or executing test procedures and gathering technical evidence to demonstrate compliance with requirements.
• An understanding of verification and validation (V&V) and its role in product acceptance and certification.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to present technical information to engineering teams, stakeholders and customers.
• Experience producing technical reports and engineering documentation.
• A methodical, analytical approach to problem solving and the ability to take ownership of technical tasks through to completion.

Please note: Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be British Citizens and eligible to obtain UK Security Check (SC) clearance. Dual British nationals will be considered, provided they hold British citizenship and meet the required security clearance eligibility criteria.