Principal Systems Engineer

QinetiQ; Amesbury; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Health plan (Medical)

Employee discount portal

Armed Forces Covenant support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

QinetiQ is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer for its UK operations. The role focuses on leading complex system refreshes on MOD test ranges and developing testing systems for evolving military equipment, working with Mission Rehearsal teams across diverse capabilities.

You will technically lead delivery, create artefacts, and guide projects from concept to service, with opportunities to span multiple locations and programmes.

Qualifications

• Extensive systems engineering expertise with a proven track record leading complex programmes.
• Experience delivering systems engineering artefacts through requirements to transition to service.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and tailor engineering governance approaches.
• SC clearance eligibility or ability to obtain clearance

Responsibilities

• Leading the technical delivery of complex/high value systems programmes to time, cost and quality with PM support.
• Delivering systems artefacts from requirements through to transition to service, including peer reviews.
• Engaging with broad stakeholders to ensure context, requirements and risk are understood.
• Tailoring project lifecycles and engineering governance, mentoring others.
• Leading technical and assurance activities across areas of expertise and programmes.
• Overseeing subcontracted activity, ensuring SOIs and acceptance criteria are achievable and risks mitigated

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements management

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

MSc or higher degree preferred

Job description

Package: £64,000 – £75,000 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20616

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 Systems Engineer at our Bristol 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 Systems Engineer, you’ll technically lead complex or high value system refreshes on our MOD test ranges and lead the development of systems required to test our rapidly changing military equipment.

Day-to-day, you’ll typically work with our Mission Rehearsal teams, across a suite of technologies and capabilities, from large area surveillance to precision tracking and stop‑action systems, to the integration of customer/supplier platforms. You will work across one or more projects, delivering your portfolio of technical work alongside a Project Manager.

You will Technically Lead delivery of the overall solution, by applying systems engineering principles and be hands‑on producing your own systems artefacts. You will typically work across the full life cycle from concept to acceptance into service or may have a specialty focus area.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the technical delivery of complex/high value systems programmes, or groups of projects to time, cost and quality, working closely with Project/Programme Manager
• Delivering systems engineering artefacts through project life from requirements through to transition to service, authoring own as well as peer‑reviewing and guiding junior engineers to achieve required standards
• Actively engage with broad x‑business stakeholder group throughout programme, to ensure understanding of the broader context, with high level view of requirements, risk and decision/change management
• Tailoring of project lifecycles and engineering governance approaches, advising and mentoring others
• Leading technical, assurance, systems engineering activity across your area of expertise/programmes
• Technically lead subcontracted activity, whether internal/external, ensuring statements of work, specifications and acceptance approach is achievable and that technical risk is transparent, reported and mitigated

Essential experience of the Principal Systems Engineer

• Relevant specialism in Systems Engineering, or technical discipline, domain, platform with willingness to broaden expertise
• Proven track record leading technical programmes through project life and into service
• Understanding of engineering planning, monitoring and control, systems engineering, concurrent engineering, integration of engineering specialisms
• Understanding of engineering systems including safety critical and safety related functions
• Advanced knowledge of systems integration, including facilities, equipment, control systems, communication systems, software and IT

Essential qualifications for the Principal Systems Engineer

• Degree Level qualification or equivalent, MSc or higher degree preferred, or equivalent experience

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 Bristol site (or we can consider any of our main UK locations) with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

QinetiQ operates state‑of‑the‑art facilities across the UK that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable QinetiQ to conduct a wide range of research, testing and development activities that support both military and civilian applications helping to advance technology and support national security.

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)

Our Recruitment Process

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]. One of our recruitment team will contact you.

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.

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. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

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