Principal Systems Engineer (Lead)

Ultra Intelligence & Communications; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus Scheme

Private Medical Cover

25 days’ holiday (plus Bank Holidays)

Pension Contribution

4 x Life Assurance Cover

Flexible working hours

Cycle to work scheme

Security Clearance Allowance

Job summary

Ultra Intelligence & Communications is seeking a Principal Systems Lead to own the Systems engineering lifecycle across complex defence programs in the Cyber Business. You will provide technical leadership, define system architecture, manage cross‑discipline interfaces and deliver high‑quality artefacts to meet customer requirements.

The role requires strong ISO/IEEE/IEC expertise, hands‑on development experience in hardware/software/firmware, and the ability to operate with limited guidance

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or have suitable Defence/Aerospace industry experience.
• Significant experience and a full understanding of Systems Engineering, the lifecycle, various development models and associated processes.
• Significant experience of developing high quality requirements and establishing a fully compliant systems design.
• Demonstrable experience in implementing the full Systems Engineering lifecycle as per the applicable ISO/IEEE/IEC standards.
• Technical and Line management experience of a team of systems engineers
• Experience in writing high quality technical documentation and the formal technical review of such material.
• Substantial knowledge of System Engineering practices, methodologies, processes, techniques and technology trends.
• Experience of requirement management and modelling tools.
• Previous experience of hands‑on development of either hardware, software or firmware development, particularly in an embedded environment.

Responsibilities

• Represents the Systems discipline as the lead Systems Engineer assigned to a project, owning the totality of the Systems assigned work packages and tasking, to deliver obligations and commitments to the enabling technical requirements, agreed processes, plans, quality, schedule and budget.
• Supports the Engineering Project Lead (EPL) in delivering the delegated engineering management obligations, defines the team resources needed and delegates leadership and technical responsibilities applicable to the Systems work packages and assurance tasks to the allocated systems team.
• Is responsible for all aspects of the development of technical solutions to large and complex engineering problems, demonstrate alignment to Systems Engineering practices, principles and processes, to ensure customer requirements are satisfied.
• Quantifies and implements a marriage of technical processes and technical management processes to achieve the desired solution, delivering Systems Engineering artefacts, as required, across the engineering development lifecycle, to result in a positive project outcome.
• Provide technical direction and exert technical influence across the numerous project work packages, such that the optimal approach, applicable processes, risk mitigations, architecture, design, and implementation are selected/identified.
• Work closely with the system, hardware, firmware and software architects and design authorities to ensure consistency, design for modularity and re-use, and technical excellence.
• Plans and delivers design reviews, to senior management and customers, to a level of clarity and quality to ensure a successful event/outcome.
• Leads, manages and reports Systems aspects of the project to achieve optimal balance between requirements, solution maturity, technical risk, schedule and cost.
• Manage customers and external suppliers to define and achieve expectations and objectives, where the System lead achieves acceptance via the technical solution and related products/artefacts.
• Having delivered the solution acts as the Design Authority (DA), supporting the in-service phase and future opportunities/change.
• Ensure and review technical/task proposals, providing accurate estimates for the associated effort, costs and risks, for bids and proposals, leading to contract award.
• Technically lead other project discipline lead/s, working with project management and engineering project leads, to create proposals associated to the technical solution, that drive down project costs, risk and increase margin.
• Reviews and signs off significant technical documents; frequently supporting the technical review chair with the significant deliverables.
• Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual to ensure compliance with Government regulations.
• Actively supports and offers value add improvements to the Systems discipline to grow the overall capability as a whole.
• As required supports recruitment, early careers development and STEM engagement.
• Leads others, in Systems and outside, to develop greater awareness and implementation of a systems approach, practices and applicable processes.
• Line Management duties, proactively leading and coaching reports, aid the creation of development plans and support execution, whilst measuring continuous improvement in others.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Requirements management

Technical leadership

ISO/IEEE/IEC standards

Embedded hardware/software

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Defence/Aerospace industry experience

Job description

Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications

Cyber (UK) Business

Powering Decision

Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield—find your place in the future of defense.

Cyber Business

Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide.

Job Description

The Ultra Engineering function manages a portfolio of specialist capabilities, generating highly differentiated solutions and products by applying, systematically, electronic, mechanical, and software technologies in demanding and critical environments to meet customer needs. Within the Engineering function the Systems Engineering discipline ensures a defined multi/inter-discipline approach and assures the cross-discipline solution/products support a compliant system, offering a means to gain stakeholder acceptance.

The Principal Systems Lead role is responsible for, and assures, a hierarchical implementation of the ISO 15288 processes and practices across the Systems Engineering life cycle, for the assigned project. This Lead role owns the solution in response to the collective technical requirements; furthering the clarity of the requirements for engagement and flow down to the other disciplines; managing the delivery of the required deliverables associated to the candidate solution/capability, whilst also assuring the evidence-base offers a managed approach to progressive acceptance.

As a professional at this grade, they need to be able to apply their technical and leadership knowledge, making independent judgements based on reasoned decision making and significant previous experience. Often seen as a referral point or more senior team member, to scale more complex challenges and opportunities to both the project and Systems discipline. This role is expected to act independently with minimal guidance and may mentor project managers/other discipline engineers/early careers.

Key Responsibilities

• Represents the Systems discipline as the lead Systems Engineer assigned to a project, owning the totality of the Systems assigned work packages and tasking, to deliver obligations and commitments to the enabling technical requirements, agreed processes, plans, quality, schedule and budget.
• Supports the Engineering Project Lead (EPL) in delivering the delegated engineering management obligations, defines the team resources needed and delegates leadership and technical responsibilities applicable to the Systems work packages and assurance tasks to the allocated systems team.
• Is responsible for all aspects of the development of technical solutions to large and complex engineering problems, demonstrate alignment to Systems Engineering practices, principles and processes, to ensure customer requirements are satisfied.
• Quantifies and implements a marriage of technical processes and technical management processes to achieve the desired solution, delivering Systems Engineering artefacts, as required, across the engineering development lifecycle, to result in a positive project outcome.
• Provide technical direction and exert technical influence across the numerous project work packages, such that the optimal approach, applicable processes, risk mitigations, architecture, design, and implementation are selected/identified.
• Work closely with the system, hardware, firmware and software architects and design authorities to ensure consistency, design for modularity and re-use, and technical excellence.
• Plans and delivers design reviews, to senior management and customers, to a level of clarity and quality to ensure a successful event/outcome.
• Leads, manages and reports Systems aspects of the project to achieve optimal balance between requirements, solution maturity, technical risk, schedule and cost.
• Manage customers and external suppliers to define and achieve expectations and objectives, where the System lead achieves acceptance via the technical solution and related products/artefacts.
• Having delivered the solution acts as the Design Authority (DA), supporting the in-service phase and future opportunities/change.
• Ensure and review technical/task proposals, providing accurate estimates for the associated effort, costs and risks, for bids and proposals, leading to contract award.
• Technically lead other project discipline lead/s, working with project management and engineering project leads, to create proposals associated to the technical solution, that drive down project costs, risk and increase margin.
• Reviews and signs off significant technical documents; frequently supporting the technical review chair with the significant deliverables.
• Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual to ensure compliance with Government regulations.
• Actively supports and offers value add improvements to the Systems discipline to grow the overall capability as a whole.
• As required supports recruitment, early careers development and STEM engagement.
• Leads others, in Systems and outside, to develop greater awareness and implementation of a systems approach, practices and applicable processes.
• Line Management duties, proactively leading and coaching reports, aid the creation of development plans and support execution, whilst measuring continuous improvement in others.

Required Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or have suitable Defence/Aerospace industry experience.
• Significant experience and a full understanding of Systems Engineering, the lifecycle, various development models and associated processes.
• Significant experience of developing high quality requirements and establishing a fully compliant systems design.
• Demonstrable experience in implementing the full Systems Engineering lifecycle as per the applicable ISO/IEEE/IEC standards.
• Technical and Line management experience of a team of systems engineers
• Experience in writing high quality technical documentation and the formal technical review of such material.
• Substantial knowledge of System Engineering practices, methodologies, processes, techniques and technology trends.
• Experience of requirement management and modelling tools.
• Previous experience of hands‑on development of either hardware, software or firmware development, particularly in an embedded environment.

Desirable Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• INCOSE recognition ASEP or CSEP
• Experience working as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) and developing new areas of expertise as and when required.
• NCSC security processes and familiar with deliver of associated security artefacts.

Security Clearance

• Candidates must be willing and able to obtain, and maintain, DV security clearance

#IC

#LI-ONSITE

#LI-EG1

Notice

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export-controlled material as defined by the role’s requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website.

Our Benefits

Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:

• Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme

• Private Medical Cover

• 25 days’ holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days

• Pension Contribution

• 4 x Life Assurance Cover

• Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday

• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more

• Security Clearance Allowance – where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers. We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible. If you have any issues with your application, please email us at [e-mail]