Precision Timing Systems Engineer

National Physical Laboratory; Gomshall; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

National Physical Laboratory in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to apply Systems Engineering principles to the design and development of complex multidisciplinary systems, with emphasis on early lifecycle activities.

This role sits in the Time & Frequency department, contributing to a major government-funded programme that advances precision timing and supports UK digital infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Experience with early lifecycle systems engineering activities, including requirements definition, system architecture, modelling, or functional decomposition
• Experience working on complex technical systems (e.g. instrumentation, research facilities, or bespoke engineered systems)
• Familiarity with systems development approaches (e.g. V-model, iterative, or agile)
• Desirable: Time and frequency measurement, time scales or precision metrology
• Desirable: Real-time monitoring and control of electronic or optical hardware
• Desirable: Satellite communications, optical fibre networks or GNSS-based systems
• Desirable: Research or laboratory-based engineering environments

Responsibilities

• Supporting early lifecycle systems engineering activities , including concept definition, functional decomposition, and requirements development
• Defining system and subsystem architectures , including boundaries, interfaces, and packaging in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Modelling and analysing system behaviour , interfaces, and performance to inform design decisions and reduce technical risk
• Identifying, assessing, and communicating technical risks , assumptions, and trade-offs clearly and proportionately
• Producing clear, structured systems engineering artefacts (requirements, architectures, models) in line with internal processes, to time, cost, and quality
• Ensuring traceability from user needs through to system requirements and design decisions across the product lifecycle

Skills

Systems Engineering

Lifecycle engineering

Requirements Definition

System Architecture

Modelling

Technical Artefacts

Agile

V-model

Multidisciplinary Teams

Security Clearance

Education

Degree in Engineering or Physics

Job description

National Physical Laboratory in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to apply Systems Engineering principles to the design and development of complex multidisciplinary systems, with emphasis on early lifecycle activities.

This role sits in the Time & Frequency department, contributing to a major government-funded programme that advances precision timing and supports UK digital infrastructure.