Senior System Engineer

iO Associates; Farnborough; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Senior System Engineer to join a vital government defence programme in Farnborough. The role involves working on the full engineering lifecycle with MBSE focus and secure systems delivery. Ideal candidates will possess strong modelling skills and a proven background in mission-critical programmes.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in architecture modelling tools.
• Experience on large-scale, mission-critical integration programmes.
• In-depth knowledge of requirements engineering.

Responsibilities

• Define system-of-systems requirements with stakeholders.
• Lead technical derivation and compliance assessments.
• Produce detailed engineering artefacts and support onboarding.

Skills

Architecture modelling tools

System modelling

Requirements engineering

Stakeholder coordination

Secure systems design

Education

SC clearance

DV clearance (preferred)

Tools

Sparx EA

MagicDraw Cameo

Job description

Senior System Engineer | up to £80,000 | Farnborough - Hybrid
We are seeking a Senior System Engineer to join a high-profile government defence programme, working on systems vital to national security. This role offers the opportunity to work across the full engineering lifecycle in an agile environment, with a focus on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and secure systems delivery.

Key Responsibilities:
* Work with stakeholders, suppliers, and architects to define system-of-systems requirements.
* Use MBSE tools to model functional requirements and system behaviours.
* Lead technical derivation, compliance assessments, and requirements allocation.
* Produce detailed engineering artefacts including designs, failure modes analysis, security documentation, and service management designs.
* Support onboarding of services onto virtualised infrastructure.
* Conduct system-level cost/benefit and technical trade studies.
* Deliver milestone reviews and ensure engineering tasks align with programme scope.
* Define and model interfaces, user scenarios, and security requirements.
* Collaborate across agile teams to maintain design and architectural alignment.

Required Skills & Experience:
* Strong expertise in architecture modelling tools (e.g. Sparx EA, MagicDraw Cameo).
* Familiarity with frameworks and languages such as TOGAF, MODAF, NAF, SysML, Archimate.
* Experience on large-scale, mission-critical integration programmes.
* Skilled in system modelling, interface definition, and functional decomposition.
* In-depth knowledge of requirements engineering (text and model-based).
* Experience with secure systems design, including CIA principles and virtualised environments.
* Strong stakeholder and supplier coordination abilities.
* Proven ability to develop security artefacts (e.g. RMADs, SyOPS, ISMS, DART).
* Minmum SC cleared, ideally DV cleared.

Desirable:
* ITIL and knowledge of Service Management processes.
* Background in Air Traffic Management or other safety-critical domains.
* Experience with assurance and regulatory compliance across functional areas.
* Willingness to challenge conventions and offer innovative solutions.
* Confident communicator with clear written and verbal presentation skills.

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in a strategically significant programme, delivering secure, high-assurance systems that make a real-world impact. If you thrive in complex, fast-paced engineering environments, we'd love to hear from you.