Senior System Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Compressed fortnight pattern

Private healthcare

Pension

Professional development

Job summary

Northrop Grumman UK is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join the Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) Systems Engineering team, supporting critical defence and maritime programmes.

You will lead systems engineering across the full lifecycle, work with customers and suppliers, and ensure delivery against scope, schedule and safety standards in a regulated environment. This role offers flexible, hybrid working and strong career growth.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Significant experience in a Systems Engineering role within defence, maritime, aerospace or another highly regulated sector.
• Strong understanding of systems requirements management, design, integration, verification, validation and acceptance.
• Experience with safety-related systems, including SIL 2/SIL 3 environments and IEC 61508 standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across the full Systems Engineering V-LifeCycle, from concept definition through to delivery and in-service support.
• Develop, review and maintain key technical documentation, ensuring delivery against programme schedules.
• Plan and deliver major design reviews (SDR, PDR, CDR) to milestones.
• Manage technical interfaces with suppliers to keep requirements, designs and baselines aligned.
• Review and challenge customer and supplier technical documentation to maintain quality and compliance.

Skills

Systems thinking

Technical leadership

Regulated industries

Stakeholder engagement

Defence domain knowledge

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering or Systems Engineering

Job description

UK CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: Yes

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

What’s your possible?

At Northrop Grumman UK, you are part of a team driving innovation where it matters most, solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. We call it Defining Possible.

This mindset goes beyond the solutions we deliver to our customers. It underpins how we invest in our people, support career growth, and create opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the communities where we live and work.

This is more than just a job. It’s a mission.

We are looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) Systems Engineering team, supporting some of the UK’s most critical defence and maritime programmes.

Working within a highly collaborative engineering environment, you will play a key role in delivering complex mission systems from concept through to deployment and in-service support. You will help shape technical solutions that directly contribute to national security, while working alongside software, test and systems specialists who are passionate about engineering excellence.

As a senior member of the team, you will lead systems engineering activities across the full engineering lifecycle, ensuring programmes are delivered to the required scope, schedule and quality standards. You will also work closely with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive successful programme outcomes in a regulated and safety‑critical environment.

“My aim is to build an engineering team that attracts the strongest candidates and allows them to reach their full potential working on exciting engineering programmes in a trusted environment, with excellent job security and growth prospects.”

Dave Brunton, Engineering Authority, Northrop Grumman UK

What You’ll Do

• Lead systems engineering activities across the full Systems Engineering V‑Lifecycle, from concept definition through to delivery and in-service support
• Develop, review and maintain key technical documentation, ensuring delivery against programme schedules
• Plan and successfully deliver major design reviews, including SDR, PDR and CDR milestones
• Manage technical interfaces with suppliers, ensuring requirements, designs and baselines remain aligned
• Review and challenge customer and supplier technical documentation to maintain quality and compliance standards
• Support and lead technical reviews and stakeholder engagements with customers, partners and suppliers
• Contribute to systems integration, verification, validation, safety and acceptance activities across mission‑critical programmes

What We’re Looking For

We’re interested in engineers who bring strong systems thinking, technical leadership and experience delivering complex solutions within regulated industries.

Essential experience and qualifications:

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related technical discipline
• Significant experience in a Systems Engineering role within defence, maritime, aerospace or another highly regulated sector
• Strong understanding of systems requirements management, design, integration, verification, validation and acceptance
• Experience working with engineering safety‑related systems, including SIL 2/SIL 3 environments and IEC 61508 standards
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering methodologies, models and best practice
• Proven ability to influence, engage and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels

Desirable:

• Experience supporting complex command‑and‑control, mission systems or defence platforms
• Experience managing supplier technical deliverables and design baselines
• Familiarity with customer‑facing engineering reviews and governance processes

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of our work, you must be a UK national and able to gain and maintain UK Government Security Check (SC) clearance in line with the role requirements.

Clearance is not required to start employment.

Our recruitment team is on hand to answer any questions and will guide you through the process: [e-mail]

Benefits

At Northrop Grumman UK, we recognise that flexibility, wellbeing and career development matter.

You’ll benefit from:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Compressed fortnight working pattern available, including every other Friday off where programme commitments allow
• Private healthcare, dental cover, life assurance and pension
• Flexible benefits package including critical illness cover, health cash plan and health assessments
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• Annual performance incentive programme
• Professional development, training and career progression opportunities
• Opportunities to work on meaningful programmes that directly support UK national security

Why Join Us?

A Mission to Believe In

Every day, our people contribute to building a more secure and connected world. Whether supporting the UK Defence business, developing mission systems or helping modernise critical national infrastructure, your work will have real purpose and impact.

You’ll also have opportunities to support STEM initiatives, volunteering programmes and employee networks that strengthen our communities.

A Place to Belong and Thrive

Our engineering community is built on collaboration, respect and inclusion. We are proud of the diversity of experiences and perspectives within our teams and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can contribute, grow and succeed.

Your Career, Your Way

With approximately 60 engineers spanning software, systems and test disciplines, you’ll be surrounded by experts who are committed to helping one another develop. Our matrix organisation provides exposure to a wide range of programmes, technologies and career pathways, giving you the opportunity to continuously broaden your skills and discover your possible.

Northrop Grumman UK. Define Possible.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.