Senior Systems Engineer

Babcock International; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer in Bristol or Plymouth. The role involves leading systems engineering activities for high-profile defence programmes and requires proven experience in the field. Candidates should have relevant educational qualifications and a background in the automotive or defence sectors. This full-time role offers hybrid working arrangements and an attractive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to Digital GP services

Employee share scheme

Holiday Trading benefit

'Be Kind Day' for volunteering

Excellent development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in systems engineering.
• Experience leading systems engineering activities.
• Background in the automotive and/or defence industry is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead definition, analysis, and management of system requirements.
• Develop system architectures across multiple domains.
• Plan and execute verification and validation activities.
• Conduct trade studies and system-level analyses.
• Identify and manage technical risks and issues.

Skills

Systems engineering experience

Leadership in systems engineering

Background in automotive or defence

Education

HNC / HND or Degree in relevant engineering discipline

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer

Location: Stoke Gifford, Bristol or Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: From £46,000 negotiable depending on experience + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF67001

Shape the future of defence and engineering

At Babcock we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Senior Systems Engineer at our Bristol or Plymouth site.

The role

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will support our work on the Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carrier vehicle programme, following our agreement to be Patria's UK build partner. This is a high-profile opportunity to join a major defence programme, contributing to the delivery of a proven, NATO-backed platform for the British Army. You\'ll lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle - from requirements definition through to integration, verification, and validation. This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact on national security and defence innovation, while advancing your career in a dynamic and purpose-driven environment.

Day-to-day you\'ll be:

• Leading the definition, analysis, and management of system requirements to ensure compliance and traceability.
• Developing system architectures and interface definitions across mechanical, electrical, software, and supportability domains.
• Planning and executing verification and validation activities, including test planning and acceptance criteria.
• Conducting trade studies and system-level analyses to support design decisions.
• Identifying and managing technical risks and issues through structured problem-solving.

This role is full time, 37.5 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.

Essential experience of the Senior Systems Engineer

• Proven experience in systems engineering.
• Experience leading systems engineering activities.
• Background in the automotive and/or defence industry is advantageous.

Qualifications for the Senior Systems Engineer

• HNC / HND or Degree in a relevant engineering discipline.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• 'Be Kind Day' enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

About Babcock

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header \'Reasonable adjustments requirement\'. We\'re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone\'s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working - please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 20/10/2025

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