System Engineering Manager

CMS2 - Critical Maritime Systems & Support; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CMS2 is recruiting an experienced Systems Engineering Manager to lead a team delivering mission-critical maritime defence systems. You will shape technical solutions, develop capability and ensure successful delivery across the full systems engineering life cycle in a specialist environment.

The role requires strong leadership, delivery discipline, and a track record of guiding complex programmes, with an emphasis on quality, safety and stakeholder engagement. Right to work in the UK is required.

Qualifications

• Degree, HND, or significant proven experience in engineering.
• Professional engineering recognition (Chartered Engineer status or working towards).
• Significant systems engineering experience in complex environments.
• Experience leading systems engineering across the full lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of requirements, architecture, integration, verification and validation.
• Experience managing technical risk and governance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading, mentoring or developing engineers.
• Experience in the defence sector is highly desirable.
• Experience in maritime, aerospace, nuclear, rail or other safety‑critical industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle from concept to in-service support.
• Oversee requirements management with traceability throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead system architecture and design activities to meet customer and programme needs.
• Guide systems analysis including trade studies and performance assessments.
• Perform root cause investigations to improve system performance and reliability.
• Ensure alignment between engineering outputs, customer requirements and project deliverables.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Mentoring

Problem solving

Education

Degree in engineering

Chartered Engineer status or working towards

Tools

MBSE

Requirements management (DOORS)

Job description

CMS2 is seeking an experienced Systems Engineering Manager to lead and develop a team of engineers delivering complex, mission-critical systems within a specialist area of maritime defence engineering.

With over 60 years of expertise in atmosphere management and life support systems for submarines and other critical naval applications, CMS2 operates in a unique and highly specialised engineering environment.

As a senior engineering leader, you will shape technical solutions, develop engineering capability and drive the successful delivery of complex programmes across the full systems engineering life cycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through to integration, verification, validation and in-service support.
• Oversee requirements management, ensuring requirements are captured, analysed, allocated and maintained with full traceability throughout the lifecycle.
• Lead system architecture and design activities, ensuring solutions meet customer, operational and programme requirements.
• Undertake and guide systems analysis activities, including trade studies, mathematical modelling, performance assessments and concept development.
• Perform and lead root cause investigations, reliability assessments and failure mode analysis to improve system performance, robustness and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure alignment between engineering outputs, customer requirements and project deliverables.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Systems Engineers, promoting technical excellence and professional growth.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance across programmes, supporting robust engineering decision-making.
• Promote knowledge sharing and the adoption of Systems Engineering best practice across the engineering function.
• Drive continuous improvement of engineering tools, processes and methodologies, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

Verification, Validation & Technical Assurance

• Define and oversee verification and validation strategies, including the development of test plans, specifications and execution activities.
• Lead technical reviews, design reviews, governance and technical assurance activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support safety assessments, risk reviews and compliance activities where required.
• Produce and review high-quality technical documentation, including system descriptions, models, specifications and other engineering artefacts.
• Act as the key technical interface between customers, suppliers, project teams and engineering functions, ensuring clear communication and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Analyse customer requirements and specifications, translating them into structured and actionable engineering requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers to support programme planning, work package definition and delivery estimates.
• Support business development and bid activities through technical input, compliance assessments and solution development.

Risk, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Identify, manage and mitigate technical risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with relevant company, industry and regulatory standards.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, tools and methodologies to improve engineering capability and efficiency.
• Drive engineering effectiveness and delivery performance improvements through structured continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain professional knowledge and technical expertise through continuous professional development.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Degree, HND, or significant proven experience in an engineering discipline.
• Professional engineering recognition (Chartered Engineer status or working towards, or equivalent experience).
• Significant systems engineering experience in complex environments.
• Experience leading systems engineering across the full lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of requirements, architecture, integration, verification and validation.
• Experience managing technical risk and governance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading, mentoring or developing engineers.
• Experience within the defence sector is highly desirable.
• Applications are also welcomed from candidates with systems engineering experience in maritime, aerospace, nuclear, rail, space, automotive or other highly regulated, safety‑critical industries.

Preferred Experience

• Understanding of systems engineering disciplines common to defence and mission‑critical programmes.
• Knowledge of relevant engineering standards and frameworks.
• Professional registration or membership of a recognised engineering institution.
• Experience designing solutions to meet military requirements.
• Experience of Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Experience using requirements management software and tools.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 9000 or similar Quality Management Systems.
• Experience within a Lean Manufacturing environment.

Other Requirements

Candidates must have an existing right to live and work in the UK.

Security Clearance

• Candidates must hold Security Check (SC) clearance or be eligible to obtain it.
• To obtain SC clearance, candidates will normally need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years.
• Due to the nature of our work, successful candidates must be able to satisfy UK security vetting requirements.