Positioning & Timing Scientists & Engineers - Future Combat Air Systems

Dstl; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading defence innovation team at Dstl as a PNT Scientist, Engineer or Analyst. Focus on cutting-edge research in alternative positioning and timing technologies, contributing to national security. Collaborate with various sectors while enjoying comprehensive benefits, including a substantial pension scheme, flexible working options, and development opportunities.

Benefits

Excellent pension scheme with 26% employer contribution

Flexible working patterns

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Support for apprenticeships up to level 7

Onsite parking and facilities

Qualifications

• Technical foundation in PNT technologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills and confidence in communicating.
• Experience with project management and directing technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead research into PNT technologies and solutions.
• Collaborate across sectors to evaluate novel PNT capabilities.
• Develop assessment tools and support trials.

Skills

Sensing and data fusion

Electromagnetic signal propagation

Cryptography and cybersecurity

Communications or electronic warfare

Systems/software engineering

AI/machine learning applications

Mathematical modelling

Job description

Join Dstl and be part of the UK's defence innovation engine. As a Positioning and Timing (PNT) Scientist, Engineer or Analyst, you will play a vital role in safeguarding the UK’s freedom to operate in a GPS-contested world.
Our team develops the science, technologies, and tools that underpin independent, assured, and resilient positioning and timing capabilities—ensuring the UK remains operationally effective even when satellite-based systems like GPS are unavailable or compromised.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

What You’ll Do
• Lead and contribute to cutting-edge research into alternative PNT technologies.
• Work collaboratively across government, industry, and academia to identify, mature, and evaluate novel PNT solutions.
• Guide the technical direction of research programmes and provide high-quality advice to senior stakeholders.
• Develop robust simulation and assessment tools, support trials, and champion innovation.
• Present findings at national and international forums, and publish reports for diverse technical audiences.
• Mentor early-career staff and help shape future UK Defence capabilities.

Person specification

Who We’re Looking For

You don’t need to be a PNT expert—we’ll support your learning. But you do need to bring curiosity, energy, and a strong technical foundation in one or more of the following:

• Sensing and data fusion (e.g. Kalman Filters)
• Electromagnetic signal propagation
• Cryptography and cybersecurity
• Communications or electronic warfare
• Systems/software engineering or simulation environments
• AI/machine learning applications to sensing and decision-making
• Mathematical modelling (trigonometry, calculus, statistics)

You should be:

• Technically adept and enthusiastic about solving real-world problems.
• A confident communicator and team leader.
• Comfortable working across multiple research stages (TRL 1–6).

You’ll Also Need to Demonstrate Experience In

• Developing or directing technical solutions.
• Delivering advice to military or civil clients.
• Conducting or overseeing scientific and technical research.
• Managing complex projects and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,900, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £13,586 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working:Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours:Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work:Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave:25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family:Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development:Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities:Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.