Senior Defense Systems Engineer & Technical Bid Lead

Alten Ltd; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Cycle & tech scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life insurance

Pension scheme

Job summary

ALTEN Ltd is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer / Technical Bid Lead to drive the technical development of complex defence bids fromStevenage or Bristol. The role focuses on translating customer requirements into compliant, competitive solutions while shaping bid strategy and proposal content.

An on-site requirement of three days per week applies, with a seniority of 10+ years and eligibility for SC clearance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical bid activities within complex defence or aerospace programmes.
• Strong systems engineering background with requirements management and lifecycle knowledge.
• Proven ability to translate customer requirements into technically compliant and commercially competitive solutions.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams through proposal and concept-definition activities.
• Experience developing technical estimates, identifying risks, and supporting bid planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of complex defence bids and proposal activities.
• Translate customer requirements into compliant, competitive system solutions.
• Act as the technical authority throughout the bid lifecycle, ensuring technical coherence and robustness.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in the development of technical solutions, estimates, assumptions, and risk assessments.
• Challenge and review technical inputs to ensure accuracy, affordability, and deliverability.
• Develop and review technical proposal content and supporting documentation.
• Support internal governance and gate review activities throughout the bid process.
• Present technical solutions and strategies to senior stakeholders and customers.
• Work closely with programme, commercial, and bid management teams to deliver winning proposals.

Skills

Technical bid leadership

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Stakeholder engagement

Proposal development

Systems lifecycle

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

IBM Rhapsody

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

ALTEN Ltd is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer / Technical Bid Lead to drive the technical development of complex defence bids fromStevenage or Bristol. The role focuses on translating customer requirements into compliant, competitive solutions while shaping bid strategy and proposal content.

An on-site requirement of three days per week applies, with a seniority of 10+ years and eligibility for SC clearance.