Principal Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Wellbeing support

Career development opportunities

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the application of systems engineering across major defence, nuclear and Critical National Infrastructure programmes. You will provide technical leadership through the lifecycle, shaping architectures and ensuring delivery against challenging objectives.

You'll mentor engineers, work with senior client stakeholders, and apply KiD and MOD acquisition frameworks to grow capability and support business development.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in a relevant STEM discipline, or equivalent experience, with CEng, CSEP or equivalent professional recognition.
• Significant systems engineering experience in defence, nuclear, aerospace, energy or infrastructure programmes.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering lifecycles, requirements, architecture, integration, V&V and technical assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the application and tailoring of systems engineering principles, processes and standards across complex programmes and portfolios.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across the engineering lifecycle, supporting critical decisions and delivery outcomes.
• Lead requirements engineering, architecture development, integration, verification and validation of complex systems and system-of-systems solutions.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and technical workstreams, providing direction, mentoring and support to engineers at all levels.
• Support the effective use of digital engineering and modelling approaches to improve understanding, communication and decision-making.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements engineering

Stakeholder engagement

Digital engineering

Engineering judgement

Mentoring

Education

STEM degree (CEng / CSEP preferred)

Tools

SysML

MODAF

TOGAF

KiD (MOD acquisition framework)

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Lead the systems that protect the UK's future .Are you looking for a role where your expertise can shape nationally significant programmes and influence critical engineering decisions? At AtkinsRéalis, we help our clients solve some of the world's most complex engineering and programme delivery challenges. Our success comes from the diversity, expertise and passion of our people, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Join us and you'll become part of a collaborative and inclusive team that values fresh perspectives, technical excellence and continuous development. You'll work with some of the industry's leading experts while helping to deliver programmes that make a genuine difference to the UK's security, resilience and future capability.

We understand that great engineers need flexibility as well as challenge. That's why we offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements wherever possible, a strong commitment to wellbeing, and support for career returners looking to re-establish themselves in the profession.

As a Principal Systems Engineer within our Advanced Engineering Delivery & Consultancy (AEDC) Practice, you'll play a leading role in delivering some of the UK's most complex defence, nuclear and Critical National Infrastructure programmes. You'll work directly with senior client stakeholders, provide technical leadership across major programmes, and help shape solutions to some of the country's most challenging engineering problems.

You'll apply your systems engineering expertise across the full lifecycle, from concept development and capability definition through to integration, acceptance and operational deployment. Working across land, maritime, air, nuclear, energy and wider Critical National Infrastructure domains, you'll encounter a breadth of challenges few organisations can offer.

This role offers the opportunity to influence technical strategy, lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor future engineering leaders and contribute to the growth of one of the UK's leading Systems Engineering communities.

Projects are delivered across a range of strategically important locations, including Aldermaston, Barrow-in-Furness, Faslane and Devonport, providing exposure to programmes that have a direct impact on national security and resilience.

Your role

• As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will:
• Lead the application and tailoring of systems engineering principles, processes and standards across complex programmes and portfolios.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance across the engineering lifecycle, supporting critical decisions and delivery outcomes.
• Lead requirements engineering, architecture development, integration, verification and validation of complex systems and system-of-systems solutions.
• Apply systems thinking, engineering judgement and appropriate lifecycle approaches to manage technical complexity, risk and delivery objectives.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and technical workstreams, providing direction, mentoring and support to engineers at all levels.
• Support the effective use of digital engineering and modelling approaches to improve understanding, communication and decision-making.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, suppliers and stakeholders, acting as a senior technical advisor and supporting business growth activities.
• Contribute to Systems Engineering capability development through mentoring, knowledge sharing and application of the MOD acquisition framework, including use of KiD.

About you

• We\'re looking for experienced engineering leaders who combine strong technical capability with the ability to influence, mentor and deliver results in complex environments. If your experience doesn\'t perfectly match every requirement but you believe you can add value, we'd still encourage you to apply.
• Degree-qualified in a relevant STEM discipline, or equivalent experience, with CEng, CSEP or equivalent professional recognition.
• Significant systems engineering experience in complex defence, nuclear, aerospace, energy or infrastructure programmes.
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering lifecycles, requirements, architecture, integration, V&V and technical assurance.
• Proven technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams and complex programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of programme delivery, including risk, cost, schedule and commercial factors.
• Experience within UK Defence, Nuclear or Government environments, with knowledge of MOD acquisition and KiD.
• Familiarity with digital engineering, modelling tools and relevant standards (e.g. ISO 15288, TOGAF, MODAF, SysML), with experience supporting capability growth and business development.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to sui