Principal Engineer – Physical Security

SYSTRA UK & Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA UK & Ireland seeks a Principal Engineer (Physical Security) to lead the development of secure‑by‑design capabilities within our Systems Engineering & Assurance discipline. You will shape security strategy, advise on risk, and deliver design solutions for major transport projects.

With deep experience in physical and personal security, you will drive governance, threat analysis and compliant delivery across rail and mass transit schemes, while mentoring peers and coordinating with UK

Qualifications

• Proven experience in physical security management and security governance.
• Competency in threat and vulnerability assessments and secure‑by‑design approaches.
• Experience in UK rail/transport security projects is preferred.
• Relevant UK professional memberships (e.g., CSyP, RSES, ICAO PM) are advantageous.
• Knowledge of security engineering concepts across project lifecycles.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver physical security across projects, aligning with client requirements and standards.
• Lead security strategy discussions with clients to address risks with innovative, proportionate solutions.
• Review deliverables to ensure compliance with safety, health, and CDM regulations.
• Guide development of security governance, risk assessments and security reports.
• Advise on Secure by Design, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation and blast design where applicable.
• Coordinate with UK rail projects for turnkey mainline or mass transit security management.
• Upskill peers within the Systems Engineering and Assurance discipline.
• Prepare expressions of interest and tender responses with clear security content.
• Support continuous improvement of physical security capability within the SYSTRA network.

Skills

Physical security management

Security governance

Threat and vulnerability assessments

Secure by design

Hostile vehicle mitigation

Project lifecycle understanding

Rail industry experience

UK security credential

Job description

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

Context

Our Systems Engineering and Assurance discipline includes leading experts in Systems Engineering, System Safety, Cyber Security, Software Assurance and Human Factors/Ergonomics. We wish to expand this capability to include expertise in secure‑by‑design, security intelligence, threat and vulnerability assessment, blast and protective design, physical and electronic security design, and personnel and operational security.

The role of Principal Engineer (Physical Security) within the Systems Engineering & Assurance discipline will be key to enabling this capability growth. Individuals interested in such a role require a strong foundation in security consulting and security system design/implementation, built from experience in delivering physical security solutions on projects within the built environment domain, ideally within the transportation industry.

Missions / Main Duties

The Role Will Be Varied And Primarily Comprise Of

• Defining and directing ‘the Systra way’, including development of efficient and scalable secure‑by‑design processes to be applied across our portfolio of projects and programmes.
• Working in a business development capacity with clients and prospective clients to understand and address security risks and concerns and how Systra can support by defining the security strategy and direction for projects, with innovative solutions and consistent application of proven security frameworks and processes.
• Day‑to‑day design and management of physical security across our portfolio of projects, defining and delivering sustainable solutions proportionate to the identified threats and vulnerabilities.
• Acting as an advisor and specialist in Physical Security delivery on projects who is experienced and can advise on the Security overlay to the RIBA plan of work, the Network Rail Security Assurance Framework and the DfT SIDOS.
• Reviewing Physical Security deliverables from the perspective of both a technical expert and knowledgeable client to verify that the design will meet the requirements and adhere to the processes established for the successful delivery of a project/solution.
• Supporting the development and continuous improvement of a physical security capability across the wider Systra global group, acting as the UK point of contact within the physical security domain.
• Guiding others in implementing the Physical Security processes, strategy and requirements through working closely and upskilling peers within the Systems Engineering and Assurance discipline.
• Prepare and check technical deliverables and assist in preparing expressions of interest and tender responses.
• Ensure compliance with relevant health, safety and environmental legislation, particularly the CDM Regulations.
• Effective management of and response to project‑related correspondence.

Profile / Skills

Essential

The suitable candidate will have proven physical security experience coupled with commercial acumen and a desire to lead the development of this capability within an established design consultancy. Thus, we are looking for someone with the following knowledge and experience:

• Understanding and application experience of Physical Security management and Physical Security processes such as Security Planning and defining security governance, Security Risk Assessments, Security Strategy definition, Security Requirements capture, Threat and Vulnerability Risk Assessments, and production of Physical Security assurance reports.
• Competency in applying Physical Security practices covering both physical and personal security needs including Secure by Design, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation design, blast assessments with an ability to develop proportionate, sustainable and innovative resolutions manage risk.
• Previous experience in the UK rail industry with respect to Physical Security management of turnkey mainline or mass transit railway projects.
• Hold professional membership/qualifications from a recognised UK security‑related institution, such as Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) from the Security Institute, Register of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES) or ICAO AvSec PM qualification.
• Knowledge of security engineering concepts and processes, including project lifecycle delivery and applicable standards and how these integrate within a wider project/programme package.
• Experience of applying multiple methods to convey and integrate Physical security concepts, results and design implications to clients.
• A sound understanding of the impact and potential consequences of Physical Security planning, cost modelling and delivery.