Sonar Systems Engineer

Experis UK; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Unknown Defence Prime in Reading is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to translate operational needs into system architectures for sonar solutions and critical defence applications.

You will lead MBSE modelling, define architectures, manage requirements, and collaborate across software, hardware, and safety teams to ensure verifiable outcomes.

Experience in defence, maritime systems, Capella, Polarion, and Jira is valued; you will contribute to lifecycle activities from design through validation.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree with a relevant discipline (Master's/Bac+5).
• Experience delivering complex systems in an industrial/defence context.
• Strong skills in functional analysis, requirements management and V&V.
• Experience with MBSE and Arcadia methodology.

Responsibilities

• Perform functional analysis and decompose operational needs into system architectures.
• Define and refine system architectures with technical experts.
• Apply MBSE to model functions, behaviours, and interfaces and maintain traceability.
• Lead workshops across software, hardware, and cyber/ safety teams and support technical trade-offs.

Skills

Systems engineering

MBSE

Requirements management

Verification & validation

Architecture definition

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

Capella

Polarion

Jira

Job description

A leading defence prime is seeking a talented Senior Systems Engineer to support the development of advanced sonar solutions for critical defence and maritime applications. You will play a key role in translating operational needs into system architectures, requirements, and validated technical solutions, working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the system lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Engineering & Architecture

• Perform functional analysis and decompose operational needs into sonar functional chains supporting incremental development and validation.
• Define and refine system architectures in collaboration with technical experts.
• Apply Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques to model system functions, behaviours, and interfaces.
• Maintain traceability between operational needs, architecture, requirements, and verification activities.

Requirements Management

• Develop, analyse, and decompose system requirements into subsystem-level specifications.
• Define functional, technical, performance, and interface requirements.
• Ensure requirements consistency, completeness, and traceability throughout the project lifecycle.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead technical workshops and co-engineering activities across software, hardware, algorithms, systems performance, networks, safety, cybersecurity, and operations teams.
• Support engineering trade-offs and technical decision-making across the solution.

Verification & Validation

• Define validation scenarios with Operations and IV&V teams.
• Ensure solutions are feasible, operable, and verifiable against customer and operational requirements.
• Contribute to system integration, testing, and engineering reviews.

Engineering Deliverables

• Produce key engineering artefacts including System Specifications (SSS), System Design Descriptions (SSDD), and Verification Compliance & Requirements Matrices (VCRM).
• Work within engineering data models using tools such as Capella, Polarion, and Jira.

Required Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent Master's/Bac+5 qualification, ideally in Systems Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Naval Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience delivering complex systems within an industrial environment.
• Strong background in:
• Functional Analysis
• Requirements Management
• Verification & Validation
• Proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong analytical, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience within defence, maritime, sonar, sensor, radar, or mission-critical systems.
• Knowledge of MBSE and the Arcadia methodology.
• Experience with the Orchestra suite, particularly Capella.
• Familiarity with Polarion, Jira, and requirements management tools.
• Understanding of safety, cybersecurity, and networked systems.