Principal Consultant - Systems Engineering

Forward Role; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Role seeks a Principal Consultant in Systems Engineering to lead mission-critical programmes in Cheltenham. You will apply advanced systems thinking, drive architecture oversight, and set robust test and integration strategies in a high-security, safety-critical context.

Hybrid working in Cheltenham, with exposure to ISO 15288 and IEC 61508 standards, collaborating with C-suite and technical stakeholders to ensure quality and delivery across multiple delivery methodologies.

Qualifications

• Experience across the V Lifecycle stages.
• Proven architectural oversight, integration and testing.
• Familiarity with ISO 15288 and IEC 61508 and high-security environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive Systems Engineering activities across the full V Lifecycle.
• Provide architectural oversight, integration, and testing strategies.
• Champion engineering governance and quality improvement.
• Apply systems thinking to complex customer challenges.
• Support delivery across Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid methodologies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-assurance solutions.

Skills

V Lifecycle

Architectural oversight

Integration testing

Governance

Systems thinking

Delivery methods

Stakeholder mgmt

ISO 15288

IEC 61508

High-security env

Job description

Principal Consultant - Systems Engineering

Salary: £90,000 – £100,000

Clearance Required: eDV

Location: Cheltenham (Hybrid Working)

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading organisation within the national security sector, is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to play a key role across the Systems Development Lifecycle. This is a unique opportunity to work on highly impactful, mission-critical programmes that contribute directly to national security outcomes.

You’ll join a collaborative, forward-thinking engineering environment where innovation, quality, and continuous improvement are at the core of everything they do.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Driving Systems Engineering activities across the full V Lifecycle
• Providing architectural oversight, ensuring robust integration and test strategies
• Championing engineering best practices and process rigour to improve quality and delivery
• Applying systems thinking to shape and influence complex customer challenges
• Supporting delivery across a range of methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid)
• Working closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-assurance solutions

Your Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of the V Lifecycle
• Proven experience in architectural design oversight, integration, and testing
• Ability to implement engineering governance and improve quality standards
• Systems thinking mindset with the ability to solve complex problems
• Experience across multiple delivery methodologies
• Exposure to diverse client domains and relevant standards

Key Requirements

• Ability to manage and influence multiple, challenging stakeholders
• Confidence engaging with C-suite, business, and technical audiences
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 15288 and IEC 61508
• Experience within high-security or safety-critical environments