Principal Autonomy Systems Architect

Morgan McKinley; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley is seeking a Principal Autonomy Systems Architect to direct the technical vision for a state-of-the-art maritime autonomy ecosystem. You will steer system-level engineering across embedded vessel services, onshore remote operations, and robust data pipelines while ensuring safe, verifiable deployment in harsh marine environments.

You will oversee architecture governance, safety-critical control logic, and seamless interface management, guiding cross-functional teams through

Qualifications

• Proven track record architecting complex cyber-physical solutions in autonomy, robotics, or related sectors.
• Strong MBSE/SysML background with system-level specifications and trade studies.
• Experience validating and testing with HIL/SIL and live sea trials or field tests.
• Proficiency with robotics middleware (ROS 2, DDS) and core languages (C++, Python).
• Willingness to travel to integration facilities and trial sites; UK driving licence may be required.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Responsibilities

• Establish and govern multi-layer technical blueprints spanning embedded vessel services and onshore operations.
• Define state-management, fail-passive behaviours, and remote-to-autonomous handoffs.
• Decompose roadmaps into delivery sprints and acceptance benchmarks.
• Oversee verification strategies including SIL/HIL and live testing campaigns.
• Manage interfaces, contracts, APIs, data schemas, and ICDs across teams and suppliers.
• Lead cross-disciplinary engineering teams through design gates and vendor reviews.
• Engage in platform commissioning, vessel integration, and on-water testing.

Skills

Systems architecture

MBSE/SysML

HIL/SIL testing

Robotics middleware ROS 2

C++

Python

Security clearance eligibility

Job description

Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid / Flexible base with travel to coastal trial sites)

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Security Clearance: Must be eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC)

Position Summary

Are you a lead systems authority ready to direct the technical vision for complex, software-defined uncrewed surface vessels?

We are seeking a Principal Autonomy Systems Architect to drive the complete system-level engineering for a state-of-the-art maritime autonomy ecosystem. In this high-visibility leadership capacity, you will serve as the technical authority across modular software architectures, remote command nodes, robust communication pipelines, and intelligent mission payloads.

This role bridges the gap between client operational demands and real-world execution. You will oversee the evolution of open, high-assurance autonomy platforms, translating high-level mission profiles into verifiable, safe, and resilient deployment packages that excel in harsh marine environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & Governance: Establish and maintain the multi-layered technical blueprint spanning embedded vessel services, onshore remote operations infrastructure, telemetry standards, and payload integration contracts.
• Safety & Control Logic: Formulate state-management protocols, fail-passive behaviors, remote-to-autonomous authority handoffs, and degraded operational modes to guarantee platform integrity.
• Roadmap & Requirements Execution: Deconstruct strategic technology roadmaps into structured delivery sprints, cross-system dependency matrices, and clear acceptance benchmarks.
• Verification & Testing Oversight: Design comprehensive validation strategies across virtual integration testbeds (SIL/HIL), automated test suites, and live sea trial campaigns.
• Interface Management: Author and control service contracts, APIs, data schemas, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) across internal engineering groups and external supplier components.
• Technical Leadership & Vendor Management: Guide multidisciplinary engineering teams through formal design gates, set technical benchmarks for external vendors, and present strategic recommendations to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Field & Trial Engagement: Active involvement in platform commissioning, vessel integration, and on-water testing to resolve complex cross-domain defects.

Candidate Profile

• Proven Systems Experience: Strong track record architecting complex cyber-physical solutions within autonomy, robotics, defense, aerospace, or automotive sectors.
• Systems Engineering Mastery: Extensive background taking broad operational concepts and producing detailed functional specifications, trade studies, and modular software boundaries.
• Validation & Simulation Proficiency: Direct exposure to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments, software-in-the-loop (SIL) test harnesses, and physical field testing.
• Assurance & Safety Alignment: Sound understanding of high-integrity system safety methodologies, risk mitigation techniques, and assurance frameworks.
• Academic Background: Degree qualification (or equivalent professional experience) in Systems Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Control Engineering, or a related discipline
• Vetting & Mobility: Full UK driving licence, willingness to travel to integration facilities and trial sites, and eligibility to achieve UK Security Clearance.
• Background in marine robotics, surface/subsurface uncrewed platforms, or COLREG-compliant decision logic.
• Proficiency with robotics middleware (e.g., ROS 2, DDS) and core coding languages (C++, Python).
• Familiarity with maritime sensor suites (Radar, EO/IR, AIS, Sonar, Lidar, GNSS) and multi-sensor fusion systems.
• Experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) / SysML methodologies.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, INCOSE accreditation, or active UK Security Clearance.

Note: Due to security requirements associated with this work, applicants must hold a UK nationality and be eligible to undergo standard UK Government security vetting procedures.