Principal Supportability Engineer

JAM Recruitment Ltd; Eastleigh; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Principal Supportability Engineer for a 6-month contract in the UK. This position requires Security Clearance (SC) and involves leading a team, optimising support solutions, and engaging with various stakeholders in a fast-paced engineering environment. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in ILS/IPS and strong leadership skills. You will play a vital role in shaping long-term supportability strategies for complex systems.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in ILS/IPS, ideally within UK MOD environments.
• Strong experience of operating in a project-based environment.
• Background supporting complex systems and equipment.
• Hands-on experience of Supportability Analysis and use of a proprietary LSAR.
• Extensive knowledge of ILS / LSA standards.
• Proven leadership and people management experience.
• Ability to achieve and maintain the required SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small team delivering LSA and dynamic support modelling.
• Optimise support solutions across the system lifecycle.
• Work closely with internal and external engineering teams.
• Capture and manage supportability data using a proprietary LSAR.
• Produce and manage Supportability Case Reports for in-service and change work packages.

Skills

ILS/IPS experience

Project-based experience

Supportability Analysis

Excellent communication skills

Level 6 qualification or equivalent

Leadership experience

Education

Level 6 qualification (or equivalent experience)

Tools

Proprietary LSAR

Job description

Principal Supportability Engineer

Security Clearance: SC required

Contract Length: 6 months

Rate: £71 - £87 per hour (Umbrella, Inside IR35)

Location: Bristol / Hawthorn / Oakhanger / Hybrid

It starts with you

This is an opportunity to make a real impact within a fast‑growing, forward‑thinking mission systems environment. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Principal Supportability Engineer to lead integrated product support activities and manage a small team of specialists working on complex, safety‑critical communications systems.

You will play a key role in shaping through‑life support solutions, influencing design for supportability, and delivering robust support strategies across a highly complex programme.

Role

As the Lead Supportability Engineer, you will:

• Lead and manage a small team delivering LSA and dynamic support modelling
• Optimise support solutions across the system lifecycle
• Work closely with internal and external engineering teams to ensure design for supportability is embedded early
• Capture and manage supportability data using a proprietary LSAR
• Deliver through‑life support solutions and contractual documentation
• Produce and manage Supportability Case Reports for in‑service and change work packages
• Engage with customers, suppliers, and project teams across multiple locations

This role offers a high level of autonomy and requires some travel to operational and customer sites.

The Person

You will be a driven and experienced professional who thrives in complex, fast‑paced engineering environments. You will be comfortable leading teams, working with stakeholders at all levels, and delivering high‑quality technical outputs.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in ILS/IPS, ideally within UK MOD environments
• Strong experience of operating in a project‑based environment
• Background supporting complex systems and equipment
• Hands‑on experience of Supportability Analysis and use of a proprietary LSAR
• Extensive knowledge of ILS / LSA standards
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience developing and managing support modelling for in‑service and change programmes
• Experience authoring and managing Supportability Case Reports
• Level 6 qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Proven leadership and people management experience
• Ability to achieve and maintain the required SC clearance

Desirable

• Awareness of ITIL processes
• Experience with Raytheon EAGLE
• Knowledge of NATO Codification

This contract offers an excellent opportunity to work on complex, mission‑critical systems while shaping long‑term supportability strategy.