Senior System Architect – Payload

baesystems; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonus £1000

Job summary

BAE Systems in Portsmouth and other UK sites seeks a Senior Mission System Architect (Payload) to lead design, integration and assurance of maritime payloads including sensors, effectors, ISR and autonomous capabilities. You will define modular architectures that work across complex environments and ensure interoperable, resilient solutions for domestic and export programmes.

The role requires extensive experience in maritime payload integration, a degree in engineering, and Chartered Engineer

Qualifications

• Experience in maritime payload integration and system-of-systems architecture.
• Knowledge of defence sensors, effectors, ISR and mission systems.
• Membership in an appropriate engineering institution and Chartered Engineer status or working towards it.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture for sensors, effectors, ISR and mission payloads.
• Define payload integration standards, interfaces and design principles.
• Ensure interoperability across platforms and mission systems.
• Embed safety, survivability and assurance within payload architectures.
• Champion open, modular and scalable payload solutions.
• Influence stakeholders on payload strategy and integration approaches.

Skills

Maritime payload integration

System-of-systems architecture

Defence sensors & ISR

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Job Title: Senior System Architect - Payload

Location: Portsmouth (Broad Oak) , Filton, Dorchester, hybrid - 3 days on site - this role will require routine travel to other southern BAE sites within UK and occasionally internationally.

Referral Scheme: £1000

Grade: GG13

You're expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don't feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

What you’ll be doing:

As a Senior Mission System Architect (Payload), you will lead the design, integration and assurance of maritime mission system payloads, including sensors, effectors, ISR and autonomous capabilities. You will define modular, vendor-agnostic architectures that enable payloads to operate effectively across complex force-level environments. Working closely with customers, suppliers and programme teams, you will ensure solutions are interoperable, resilient and optimised for maritime operations. Your expertise will help shape future payload strategies, influence architectural direction and support the delivery of next-generation mission capabilities for domestic and export programmes.

Core duties:

• Lead architecture for sensors, effectors, ISR and mission payloads.
• Define payload integration standards, interfaces and design principles.
• Ensure interoperability across platforms, mission systems and off-board assets.
• Embed safety, survivability and assurance within payload architectures.
• Champion open, modular and scalable payload solutions.
• Influence stakeholders on payload strategy and integration approaches.

Essential skills:

• A degree in Engineering (or a related subject)
• Full membership of an appropriate engineering institution and be a Chartered Engineer (or actively working towards).
• Extensive experience in maritime payload integration and system-of-systems architecture.
• Deep knowledge of defence sensors, effectors, ISR and mission systems.

Combat System Engineering Team:

Within the dynamic and rapidly expanding Naval Ships Combat Systems business, you will form part of a highly skilled team of system architects charged with shaping the future of maritime mission systems. Working across domestic and international programmes alongside enterprise partners, in bringing to bear your specialist expertise, you will ensure that candidate solutions are innovative, future-force-ready, operationally relevant and coherent with customer and business needs.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you'll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You'll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what's most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date:

14th October 2026