Principal Systems Architect

Babcock International; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Pension with life assurance

Digital GP and health checks

Employee share scheme

Flexible working

Job summary

Babcock is seeking a Principal Systems Architect to lead the architecture for next‑generation Weapon Handling and Launch Systems on the SSN AUKUS programme. You will shape MBSE practices, drive architectural decisions, and mentor the team in a mission‑critical defence environment.

The role offers hybrid working with 2–3 days in the Ashton Vale office and the remainder remote, a competitive package, and the chance to influence national security outcomes.

Qualifications

• MBSE experience in defence projects.
• Chartered Engineer or eligible.
• Ability to obtain BPSS/SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• Define architecture deliverables and work packages across lifecycle phases.
• Lead modelling best practice using MagicGrid within programme.
• Maintain Cameo configurations with IT support.
• Develop architecture SQEP and ensure configuration management.
• Lead architecture team to deliver system behaviours and reduce risk.
• Direct requirements and integration activities including V&V.

Skills

MBSE experience

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Defence domain knowledge

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer

Tools

Cameo

MagicGrid

Job description

Job Title: Principal Systems Architect

Location: Ashton Vale, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF77103

Shape the future of naval defence through systems architecture innovation

At Babcock, we're working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Systems Architect at Ashton Vale, near Bristol, Gloucestershire.

The role

As a Principal Systems Architect, you'll have the opportunity to help design and deliver the next generation of Weapon Handling and Launch Systems for the SSN AUKUS programme. This is a rare opportunity to influence complex, mission-critical defence capability, working at the forefront of engineering innovation and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). You'll lead architectural development activities, shape technical strategy, reduce programme risk, and help develop the next generation of systems engineering talent, all while contributing to projects that play a vital role in national security

Day-to-day, you'll be required to:

• Define architecture-related deliverables and work packages, supporting the programme's progression through Babcock's engineering lifecycle phases and reviews. Developing the architecture in response to evolving programme needs. Maintain the Architecture Management Plan
• Develop and lead the implementation of modelling best practice within the programme using the MagicGrid framework, aligning with Babcock group architecture capability.
• Maintain and configure Babcock's architecture tool of choice (Cameo) within the programme, with support from IT and cross-sector stakeholders.
• Develop architecture SQEP within the programme and ensure all architecture outputs are correct and are configuration managed.
• Lead the architecture team to collaboratively develop the system architecture with technical stakeholders to represent the desired system behaviours and structure, incorporating middle-out design, identifying conflicts and voids, and ultimately reducing technical risk.
• Direct the architecture development so it enables Requirements and Integration stakeholders to deliver the requirements lifecycle, including the development of system requirements, subsystem requirements, test and integration activity, and V&V.

This role is full time, 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with 2 to 3 days in the office and the rest of week working from home.

Essential experience of the Principal Systems Architect

• Experience implementing MBSE solutions in the workplace, with excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A System Engineering background with exposure to the engineering design lifecycle, particularly for defence acquisition projects or similar industries.
• Experience leading others, with the ability to motivate and develop team members at different stages in their careers.

Qualifications for the Principal Systems Architect

• Engineering degree or equivalent work experience
• Able to attain or already a Chartered Engineer

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) / Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
• Be Kind Day' enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Flexible working - we give people more options to better integrate their work and personal life, whilst ensuring that business needs are met
• A dynamic working environment

Babcock

We're Babcock - a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 29,000 people working together to make a difference.

Here, you'll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we're building a future that lasts - not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work‑life balance

We call that lifetime engineering.

Join us and see how far we can go, together.

We are a disability confident, committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header Reasonable adjustments requirement'. We're committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone's free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working - please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 23/11/2026

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