Senior Engineer (System Design Authority)

Drumgrange Ltd; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid overtime or time off in lieu

Flexible working hours

Private medical care

Training and upskilling

Relocation package

Job summary

Drumgrange Ltd in Chertsey is seeking a highly experienced Senior Systems Engineer to lead a major project team as System Design Authority. You will be responsible for delivering complex systems involving sensors and communications for C4ISR customers.

The role includes system implementation, integration, and mentor support for a design team, with opportunities for system enhancements. Offering a flexible working environment, private medical care, and professional development opportunities are also part of the package.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering complex system design.
• Experience in full system lifecycle, including testing and integration.
• Strong technical knowledge of military-grade COTS communication and sensor systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team and act as the project’s technical authority.
• Oversee design activities ensuring rigorous test procedures are in place.
• Develop technical documentation and support testing and qualification activities.

Skills

Complex system design

Integration and test

C++

Java

C#

Understanding of network technologies

Technical communication

Leadership and team management

Ability to attain DV UK security clearance

Education

Graduate degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Software development tools

Job description

We are looking for a highly experienced and enthusiastic Senior Systems Engineer to lead a major project team in the role of System Design Authority. You will be responsible for the delivery of a complex system involving specialist sensors, electronics and signal processing firmware and software to C4ISR customers.

As one of the most senior engineers on the project, you will lead the team to successfully complete system design and development, system and sub‑system implementation as well as integration and testing, and will gain customer acceptance ensuring all design requirements are met. You should also be able to identify potentials for system enhancements and upgrades where appropriate and support the development of roadmaps to achieve these changes as well as provide strong technical governance and mentoring of the design team and assist the project manager in reporting to a variety of internal and external customers and stakeholders.

The work is predominantly related to sensor and communications networked systems but also includes sensor processing and soldier‑worn combat systems. Currently, the work covers Land systems but has the potential to evolve into other associated domains in the future.

What You'll Need

• Track record of delivering complex system design, implementation, test and integration in the defence (or similar, highly regulated) domain.
• Experience in full system lifecycle, design, development, testing, integration, and acceptance.
• The ability to analyse and specify system acceptance requirements.
• Appreciation of modern software design techniques in C++, Java & C#.
• Understanding of network technologies.
• Appreciation of complex electronics and firmware design principles.
• Strong technical knowledge of military‑grade COTS communication and sensor systems.
• Have a high level of both verbal and written communication skills providing regular communication to internal and external stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.
• Be able to manage, motivate and develop engineering employees to ensure they fulfil their roles and meet targets within agreed timelines and standards of quality.
• Ability to attain DV UK security clearance.
• Full driving licence.
• Ability to ad‑hoc travel within the UK.

What You'll Do

• Support the project managers on all technical issues and act as the project’s technical authority.
• Undertake and oversee design activities at the equipment, system and software levels ensuring rigorous test procedures are in place to verify these.
• Meet technical requirements through all phases of design and integration, leading to customer acceptance.
• Develop technical documentation to support the project development and deliverables, including test plans, specifications and procedures.
• Co‑ordinate and oversee testing and qualification activities throughout the project.
• Management of project technical risks and opportunities.
• Guide and govern the hardware, software and firmware engineering development teams to ensure that system designs achieve the operational performance requirements.
• Review and approval of technical documents.
• Preparation of and attendance (including chairing) of project design reviews with customers.
• Involvement with acceptance events at factory and external sites.
• Involvement in the safety, reliability and through‑life support of products.
• Leadership, guidance and mentoring of your multi‑disciplinary engineering team.
• Observe and predict scientific, engineering and technological trends to continually improve the business offering.
• Support the business development by identifying opportunities and in preparing technical proposals & solutions.
• Foster good working relationships with suppliers and customers.
• Supporting the research and development of products within the Company, improving engineering quality, efficiency and cost.

What You'll Get

• Full engineering lifecycle with optional career path: Choose the direction of your career.
• Paid overtime or time off in lieu: Gain up to 24 additional paid days off per year or boost your salary with an authorised single‑time overtime.
• Flexible working: We operate around the core working hours of 09:30 – 12:00 & 14:00 – 16:00.
• Role‑specific allowances: Subject to individual projects and roles.
• Holiday entitlement: 24 days per annum, plus public holidays. These are pro rata for part‑time roles. A Christmas closedown occurs for most roles from 24th December – 2nd January, utilising your holiday entitlement.
• Private medical care: Access a network of 50+ private clinics and hospitals nationwide.
• Training and upskilling: We are committed to your continuous personal and professional development meaning that you have the opportunity to gain additional skills and qualifications.
• Monthly Payment Schemes: Save money on a new bicycle and cycling accessories and get fit too!
• Company tech: Salary loans to purchase laptops, mobiles, and home office equipment.
• Relocation package: Available to selected candidates needing to relocate within easy travel distance of one of our offices – in line with HMRC guidelines – spend less time travelling and more time living.