System Engineer

QinetiQ Group plc; Coningsby; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched pension contribution

Generous holiday

Health & dental insurance

Employee discount portal

Armed Forces Covenant support

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

QinetiQ Group plc is seeking a Systems Engineer to join the RAF Coningsby team, focusing on designing developmental and operational test activities and evaluating flight trial data. You will apply systems engineering across the lifecycle to assess compliance and operational capability for mission-critical systems.

The role blends software scripting with engineering analysis and offers opportunities for career development and impactful work within high-profile defence programmes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field.
• Experience in systems validation and flight test evaluation.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance or equivalent.
• Ability to work full-time on site at RAF Coningsby.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice to assess mission and avionics systems, airworthiness and safety.
• Lead systems validation and flight test evaluation activities.
• Define and support test plans and developmental/operational analyses.
• Provide leadership for software scripting activities.
• Mentor junior engineers within the team.

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Scripting

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C++

Job description

Day-to-day, you'll work as part of an embedded team within 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron, supporting the design, evaluation, and assurance of Typhoon capabilities for the RAF. Applying systems engineering principles across the engineering lifecycle, you'll help assess system compliance and operational capability for mission-critical systems. You'll be involved in designing developmental and operational test activities, as well as supporting the development and maintenance of software tools used to evaluate flight trial data. While the role includes a software engineering element, you'll be supported by specialist software engineering expertise across the wider QinetiQ business. This is a high-tempo role where your analysis and recommendations can directly influence future flight trial activity. For the right candidate, this position offers unique experience, significant career development opportunities, and a high degree of job satisfaction. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing expert advice to support the assessment of mission and avionics systems, airworthiness, and safety
• Taking a lead role in systems validation and flight test evaluation activities
• Defining and supporting test plans and developmental and operational analysis activities
• Providing leadership for software scripting activities
• Supporting and mentoring junior engineers within the team

This exciting role can be scaled to suit the experience of the successful applicant. We welcome applications from Associate Engineers with a minimum of three years' experience who are ready to take the next step in their career, through to experienced Senior Engineers who can bring broader technical expertise and leadership from day one.

The role offers the opportunity to work on complex, high-profile programmes in a fast-paced environment where you will see the practical impact of your work almost immediately. This exciting role can be scaled to suit the experience of the applicant. We would welcome interest from Associate Engineers with a minimum of 3 years' experience who are ready for new challenges at a more senior level, all the way up to Senior Engineers who can offer broader experience and technical leadership to make an immediate impact.

• Experience delivering technical analysis and problem solving across the engineering lifecycle
• Basic proficiency in software scripting for engineering applications such as Python, MATLAB, or C++
• Experience applying systems engineering principles to complex projects
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical findings to a variety of stakeholders, Ability to work full-time on site at RAF Coningsby. This is essential due to the nature of the work.
• Relevant STEM Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent practical experience
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance

We value difference and we don't have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you. This role is 37 hours per week based at RAF Coningsby. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we're not just imagining tomorrow, we're creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Systems Engineer at RAF Coningsby, where you will be working alongside our MOD partners to support the UK Typhoon programme and help optimise sophisticated aviation technology.

QinetiQ operates state-of-the‑art facilities across the UK that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable QinetiQ to conduct a wide range of research, testing and development activities that support both military and civilian applications helping to advance technology and support national security. Why Join QinetiQ? As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there's never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you'll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you'll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process: We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.