System Design Authority

Matchtech; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence company is seeking a System Design Authority in Bristol to lead software system design and implementation. This role requires solid knowledge of full lifecycle software engineering and systems integration. Candidates should have experience in API design, secure interoperability, and managing interaction among electronic and mechanical systems. Apply now to join a specialized team in a challenging environment.

Qualifications

• Solid knowledge and experience in full lifecycle software and systems engineering.
• Experience integrating systems with electronic, electrical, and mechanical components.
• Experience in secure by design principles and CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end design and implementation of a key software system.
• Manage project progress and ensure design integrity.
• Collaborate with system operators and suppliers to align changes.

Skills

Full lifecycle software and systems engineering

Systems integration

API design and implementation

Secure interoperability

Basic networking skills

Tools

Kubernetes

Linux platforms (RHEL, Ubuntu)

MS Office applications

Job description

Overview

Our client, a leading defence company, is looking for a System Design Authority (SDA) to support a key project alongside the UK Home Office. This role provides leadership and governance to support the solution's development and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. The role involves work outside regular hours and site visits around the South Coast of the UK.

Location and Length

Location: Bristol (mostly remote with ad hoc site visits around the South Coast of the UK) • Duration: 3 month contract

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-end design and implementation of a key software system, including analysis and design, governing software development and hosting, and facilitating IT health checks, testing, and deployment.
• Design should be modular and, where possible, reuse existing products, technologies and subsystems.
• Manage, track, and fulfil project progress; prepare, update and custody system/architectural specifications, drawings and data related to the design.
• Prepare and submit appropriate certificates of design for acceptance.
• Collaborate with port and system operators, suppliers and support organisations to align with concurrent changes in operations and systems.
• Assume responsibility for the integrity and suitability of the design and lead lifecycle management of the product, including design reviews, verification and qualification activities.
• System design comprises: Image Identification; Traffic Management System.
• Ensure the system has minimal impact on port traffic flow, likely linking to the existing Port IT system and operations and working closely with a mobile high-energy X-ray system.

What We Are Looking For

The SDA should have solid knowledge and experience in full lifecycle software and systems engineering, with strong experience in systems integration, software-led integration, API design and implementation, and secure interoperability, alongside basic networking skills.

The successful candidate will have broad knowledge and experience integrating systems with electronic, electrical and mechanical components and subsystems.

Desired Knowledge and Experience (advantageous)

• Defining and maintaining architectural principles, patterns and frameworks
• Ensuring adherence to technical and security standards and identifying corrective actions
• Advanced software architecture, API integration, and design for scalability
• Leadership in software-led systems integration and cross-domain interoperability
• Formal methods for analysis and design
• Dynamically scaled containerisation (e.g., Kubernetes)
• Architectures for sharing databases between processes and locking strategies
• Linux platforms such as RHEL and/or Ubuntu
• System administration including patch management and monitoring (e.g., SCOM), mitigating security vulnerabilities
• Secure by Design principles
• Design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines with embedded DevSecOps practices
• Machine learning models for object detection / optical character recognition
• IT Networking
• Experience with MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Project, etc.) is essential

If you possess the required skills and experience for this challenging role, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's highly specialised team in Bristol.

About the Recruitment Partner

Matchtech is a STEM Recruitment Specialist, with over 40 years of experience.