Systems Engineer

QinetiQ; Ashford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company in Ashford is currently seeking a Systems Engineer for their Target Systems division. The successful candidate will design and optimize systems for unmanned aircraft, ensuring compliance with performance and safety standards. A degree in Aerospace Engineering or related fields is required, alongside strong problem-solving and communication skills. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge aerospace technology in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related fields.
• Experience in systems engineering within the aircraft or aerospace industry is essential.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Designing, developing, and optimizing systems for unmanned Target Aircraft.
• Perform systems integration to ensure seamless operation of components.
• Write and review design documentation and test plans.

Skills

Systems design principles

Requirements management

Problem-solving

Good IT skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Project

MS Office tools

Job description

About the role

We are currently recruiting for a Systems Engineer to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Engineering Team. The QTS business specialises in the design and manufacture of a range of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems, including the world-leading Banshee target.

QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over forty countries worldwide, with QTS providing a complete managed service in over fifteen of these countries.

What will I be doing?

Reporting to the Systems Engineering Manager you will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimising systems and payloads for a family of unmanned Target Aircraft, used to represent various airborne threats. This role requires a strong understanding of systems design principles, requirements management, system integration, and V and V processes and methods. The Systems Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams, including avionics, electrical, mechanical, and software engineers, to ensure all systems meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Duties will include:

• Support V and V Engineering Lead in Test and Trial Operations at Ashford with occasional overseas travel.
• Take occasional ownership of V and V during Test and Trials Operations
• Liaising within design engineering to ensure testing is sufficient to demonstrate compliancy with relevant requirements.
• Perform systems integration, including hardware, software, and mechanical components, ensuring seamless operation of avionics, propulsion, electrical, and payloads.
• Analyse and decompose system requirements.
• Translate requirements into detailed technical specifications for subsystems and component design.
• Write and review documentation, including design documentation, test and trial plans, test results and flight trial reports.
• Develop and maintain system architecture and documentation, including block diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and systems engineering plans.
• Support the resolution of technical issues during development, testing, and certification processes.
• Provide guidance and troubleshooting expertise as needed.
• Participate in risk assessments and safety analyses.
• Participate in design reviews, providing technical expertise and ensuring that design and development processes adhere to the QinetiQ BMS and Design procedure.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the System Engineering/Design Process
• Ensure a high standard of test specifications and test reports are produced throughout the V&V process.
• Support new product designs and major product change testing to ensure alignment to industry best practice and meeting customer requirements.

What do I need?

You will be qualified to degree level in A erospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field and have knowledge of aircraft systems architecture (e.g., avionics, propulsion).

You’ll have excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and have experience in systems engineering within the aircraft or aerospace industry.

We also ask that you:

• have experience with requirements management and fundamentals of configuration management.
• have knowledge of flight control systems, navigation systems, as applied to unmanned target systems
• have strong problem-solving and reasoning skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex systems.
• have Good IT skills including MS Project and MS Office tools
• are calm and able to work well under pressure
• are able to turn complex requirements in to simple and achievable plans.
• are able to operate without supervision and reactively to changing requirements

It would be beneficial if you have:

• knowledge of flight control systems, navigation systems, as applied to unmanned target systems
• experience with verification processes.

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)