Solution Architect (Maritime Autonomy)

Leidos; Farnborough; Hybrid; GBP 74,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in defence is seeking a Solution Architect to lead the design of autonomous maritime systems. This role is crucial for enhancing maritime defence capabilities. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the defence industry, particularly in maritime systems and architectures. Strong communication and technical governance skills are essential. The position offers flexibility to work from home, competitive compensation, and a collaborative culture.

Benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

33 days Annual Leave

Flexible benefits

Flexi-Time Working

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in solution or systems architecture within the defence or maritime domain.
• Understanding of naval platforms and their mission requirements.
• Hands-on experience with systems engineering lifecycle and digital twin concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of military maritime solutions.
• Translate operational requirements into system designs.
• Engage with military stakeholders to define system architectures.

Skills

Maritime systems expertise

Military service experience

Technical governance skills

System design authority

Stakeholder management

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Architecture frameworks (e.g., MODAF, NAF, TOGAF)

Cybersecurity knowledge

Job description

Description

Solution Architect (Maritime Autonomy)

Location: Farnborough, with flexibility to work from home dependent on business demands

The Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled and security-cleared Solution Architect to lead the architecting and design of modern autonomous and digital C4ISR systems and solutions for maritime defence capabilities and platforms.

The role will support multiple maritime and related defence opportunities with the candidate will have extensive experience working in the defence industry, with specific expertise in maritime systems and architectures, autonomy, mission systems, and C4ISR integration as well as good understanding of maritime platform design.

This role will include developing relevant capability roadmaps across the Leidos Maritime area, scoping technology innovation, capability integration, undertaking customer engagement to position Leidos as a leader in Maritime Defence using cutting edge technology and leading the solution on bids and opportunities.

The Solution Architect will work closely with programme-specific architects and engineers, programme delivery, business development, wider divisional technical leadership and customer teams to ensure technical solutions align with customer requirements and operational needs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of military maritime solutions, including combat systems, Strike Net, communications, autonomous navigation, and integrated platform management systems, across multiple opportunities
• Translate complex operational and capability requirements into end-to-end system designs.
• Engage with military stakeholders, engineering teams, partners and subcontractors to define and validate system architectures and technical roadmaps.
• Review solutions to ensure compliance with military standards, safety, and security requirements (e.g., DEF STAN, STANAG, MIL-STD).
• Support bid and proposal efforts by contributing to the shaping, solution development and associated governance of the solution architecture and supporting technical proposal and costing reviews.
• Conduct trade studies and design reviews to assess system performance, scalability, and interoperability.
• Provide governance and oversight across engineering delivery to ensure architectural alignment and integration across maritime opportunities
• Stay abreast of emerging and cutting edge technologies and industry trends to drive innovation and system improvement including but not limited to uncrewed systems, advanced comms and AI.

What does Leidos need from me?

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Maritime / Royal Navy / Military service experience
• Extensive experience in solution or systems architecture within the defence and/or maritime domain.
• Strong understanding of naval platforms (surface ships, submarines, UAVs/USVs, Strike Net, Tactical C4ISR) and their mission requirements.
• Experience in technical governance/sign off and technical design authority roles
• Understanding of maritime autonomy, technology, policies and strategy, able to use this to influence Leidos technical strategy and direction
• Experience with C4ISR systems, weapon systems integration, or naval command systems.
• Knowledge of combat management systems and the latest developments in the cross platform and multi service data sharing systems.
• Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle (ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288), MBSE, and digital twin concepts.
• Hands‑on experience with architecture frameworks (e.g., MODAF, NAF, TOGAF) and tools (e.g., Sparx EA, Cameo).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, safety, and information assurance in defence systems.
• Strong stakeholder management and technical leadership skills.
• Highly skilled at solutioning and designing complex mission critical systems and services which meet customer needs whilst remaining implementable within schedule and budget.
• Excellent communications skills to engage with executive leadership (internally and client) articulating solution and technical capability aligned to the business challenges.
• Excellent written and presentation communication skills.

Clearance Requirements:

• Clearance to Start - SC
• Clearance for Role – SC/DV
• Must be sole UK citizen holding SC clearance with potential to gain DV

What we do for you:

At Leidos we are PASSIONATE about customer success, UNITED as a team and INSPIRED to make a difference. We offer meaningful and engaging careers, a collaborative culture, and support for your career goals, all while nurturing a healthy work‑life balance.

We provide an employment package that attracts, develops and retains only the best in talent. Our reward scheme includes:

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• 33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
• Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)
• Flexi‑Time Working

Commitment to Diversity:

We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please let us know, and we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.

Who We Are:

Leidos UK & EUROPE – we work to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through technology, engineering and science.

Leidos is a growing company delivering innovative technology and solutions focused on safeguarding critical capabilities and transformation in frontline services, our work in the United Kingdom includes addressing some of the most complex problems in defence, healthcare, government, safety and security, and transportation.

What Makes Us Different:

Purpose: you can use your passion and abilities at Leidos to keep the people you care about safe. We are at the forefront of machine learning, AI, cyber security and solutions. Using your skills in the technology frontline by helping to build a safer world. You can inspire change.

Collaboration: having flexibility to do your job is one of our core benefits, enabling you to become part of our extraordinary team. We have been empowering our people to work flexibly for years. Whether you work from home, the office or on customer sites, we will give you the digital tools and the flexibility to work smarter and align your needs and ours.

People: Leidos empowers people from every background to be themselves and gives you the tools to learn new skills by enabling growth whilst developing. We believe that extraordinary people need opportunities to grow, to be inspired and to inspire others. At Leidos, we invest in technical academies, career rotations and a career development plans that enhance your future.

We’re not looking for perfectly polished resumes or perfect fits. We’re looking for people who break limits, ask hard questions, and don’t wait to be told what’s next. At Leidos, we’re not following the roadmap — we’re redrawing it.

Original Posting:

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

£74,700.00-£98,300.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non‑Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

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