Principal System Engineer

QinetiQ; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology and defense company located in Portsmouth is hiring a Principal System Engineer to lead a team in delivering advanced defense technology solutions. You will shape strategy and manage projects while ensuring customer satisfaction. Candidates should have a background in Systems Engineering, ideally with maritime experience. This role supports hybrid working arrangements and offers a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Health Cash Plan options

Employee discount portal

Volunteering Opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong experience within Systems Engineering and IT.
• Previous maritime experience preferred.
• Understanding of Technical Assurance process.

Responsibilities

• Lead team of Engineers to deliver STEATS capabilities.
• Shape and implement the strategy for STEATS.
• Technical point of contact for customers.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Networks

IT

Technical Assurance

Knowledge of TCP/IP

Education

Degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science or similar

Professional membership of a relevant body

Tools

Wireshark

Job description

Overview

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role ID: SF18617

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal System Engineer at our Portsmouth site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Principal System Engineer, you will be leading a team of Engineers to deliver the required STEATS (Synthetic Test Environment and Analysis Tools Service) capabilities in support of the NCSISS (Naval Combat Systems Integration Support Services) contract.

Day-to-day, you’ll play a key role in shaping and implementing the strategy to ensure the STEATS offering is well positioned to meet customer needs going forward. You will also be responsible for leading a cross-technical team of systems engineers, providing both day-to-day management and strategic technical leadership. You will work on simulations and tools that enable combat systems engineers to perform their roles effectively, combining hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities.

Your responsibilities

• Shaping and guiding future strategy for the STEATS offering
• Providing technical support in terms of Technical Delivery Plans
• Technical management of specific, delegated projects
• Being the technical point of contact for our customers

Essential experience

• Strong experience within Systems Engineering, Networks, IT would be preferable
• Previous maritime experience would be an advantage
• Understanding of the Technical Assurance process
• Knowledge of computer network architectures, protocols and analysis including client/server, TCP/IP, UDP, NTP and Wireshark

Essential qualifications

• Degree level expertise encompassing systems engineering, computer science, physics or similar technical discipline with post degree experience (or equivalent)
• Full professional membership of a relevant body or similar accreditation

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Portsmouth site. Hybrid working patterns are available.

PTP

Portsmouth Technology Park (PTP) is one of QinetiQ’s key facilities, focusing on advanced technology development and engineering services. It is dedicated to research and development, ensuring that complex systems are designed, integrated, and tested effectively to meet operational requirements. The facility utilises sophisticated modelling and simulation techniques to analyse and predict performance.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)