Systems Engineer

NATS Limited; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Income protection

Life assurance

Wellbeing and health support

Flexible working options

Job summary

NATS Ltd is seeking a Systems Engineer to support and deliver engineering activities across voice communication systems used by air traffic operations. You will translate high-level requirements into low-level designs and ensure safety, performance, and regulatory compliance while contributing to timely project delivery.

You will work with Design Teams and Project Managers, applying GIS, SQL, and Python where relevant, and will mentor junior engineers as part of the team’s growth and capability

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC in Engineering or IT discipline with relevant experience.
• Structured technical training/apprenticeship with qualification considered.
• Experience in systems engineering, supporting technical teams in safety-critical or real-time environments.
• Familiarity with national/international technical standards.
• Strong problem-solving, system engineering lifecycle, communication, and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support and deliver systems engineering tasks within the Domain/Capability.
• Contribute to requirements, interfaces, and system design proposals.
• Mentor junior engineers and support team performance.
• Assist in testing, acceptance, and documentation for system changes.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Mentoring juniors

Planning

Technical input

Education

Higher National Certificate (Engineering/IT)

Structured technical training / Apprenticeship

Tools

GIS

SQL

Python

Job description

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.

Benefits include NATS Pension Scheme, income protection, life assurance, wellbeing and health support, family-friendly policies, flexible working options, career development opportunities, employee discounts, recognition awards, and a range of additional health, financial, and lifestyle benefits.

Job Purpose/Overview

Support and execute systems engineering activities within the assigned Domain/Capability, delivering high-quality solutions for asset and transformation projects, ensuring alignment with performance, operational, and safety standards, and contributing to delivery within time, cost, and quality targets.

• NATS operates a variety of systems to allow communication between Air Traffic Controllers, pilots, and other air navigation service Units.
• These voice systems utilise analogue, digital, VOIP and RF technologies.
• The Systems Engineering and Software Practice forms part of the Engineering Directorate and is responsible for taking high-level communications system requirements and developing them into low-level designs culminating with the delivery of them into operation.
• Our run-phase responsibilities for the systems include ongoing assurance, regulatory compliance, fault investigations, maintenance of support documentation, sustainment, and evolution.
• This Systems Engineering role reports to the Controller Comms Domain Lead. Day-to-day activities will include a range of systems engineering tasks with a focus on evaluating radio coverage impacts of airspace modernisation and managing the resulting system changes needed. Practical use of GIS, SQL and Python is desirable.
• You will bring knowledge and experience of working in a safety-critical operational environment, together with an understanding of the role of Voice Communication Systems within Air Traffic Management.
• We are looking for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, works effectively both independently and collaboratively, has strong interpersonal skills, and is keen to continue developing their expertise across a range of voice communication systems. We recognise that experience can be gained through different career paths and encourage applications from those who can demonstrate the skills and capability to succeed in this role.

Other Duties Include

• Requirements and Design Management: Support, and manage where appropriate, the development, validation, and management of requirements, interfaces, and system design proposals.
• Systems Engineering: Contribute to the engineering deliverables for project(s) and/or asset(s), ensuring these meet stakeholder needs and contribute to the delivery of work packages, leading these where appropriate.
• Team Support and Oversight: Support the development of junior engineers through coaching, knowledge sharing and guidance, while contributing to team performance and ensuring resource allocation aligns with objectives.
• Testing and Acceptance: Contribute to the planning, execution and documentation of system acceptance, and hardware/software testing including at supplier sites.
• Project Support: Act as a supporting resource for project queries, facilitating documentation changes where required.
• Technical Support: Provide advice to internal and external stakeholders for the assigned Domain/Capability.
• Review and Assurance Participation: Assist in Solution Reviews and ensure alignment with safety and qualification assurance plans.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on industry, technology and business advancements and contribute to assessing system impacts.

Autonomy

The role requires the confidence to take ownership of allocated tasks, ensure quality delivery, and manage resources effectively, while working closely with colleagues and stakeholders across the business. You'll have significant autonomy in problem-solving and prioritisation, alongside the support of an experienced engineering community, all within the boundaries of NATS Business Management Processes (BMS). Resource commitments align with approved work packages, with responsibility for delivering agreed objectives to the required quality, cost and timescales.

Job Scope

• Co-ordination and Collaboration: Work closely with Design Teams, Project Engineering Managers, Project Managers and customers to develop solutions, clarify technical requirements, agree priorities and deliver project work packages and asset management activities.
• Requirements and Design: Elicit, analyse and review technical requirements and documentation to determine optimal solutions for the assigned Domain/Capability, ensuring alignment with project or asset objectives.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Qualifications: The post holder is expected to hold, as a minimum, a Higher National Certificate in an Engineering or Information Technology related discipline, and relevant experience.
• Job holders not holding the expected qualification but who have undertaken structured technical training (e.g. apprenticeship recognised by a professional body) with recognised qualification ideally to at least HNC equivalent level will also be considered.
• Experience: Experience in systems engineering, supporting technical teams, and working within safety-critical or real-time environments.
• Knowledge: Good understanding of technical concepts within the Domain/Capability, with experience in a technology delivery environment, and familiarity with relevant national and international technical standards.
• Skills: Strong problem-solving ability, understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle, effective communication skills, and the capability to mentor junior engineers when required.
• Planning and Leadership: Contribute to planning and executing tasks, typically over 6–12 months, supporting the team to deliver outputs in line with NATS Business Management Processes.
• Technical Expertise: Provide technical input throughout project phases, providing efficient resolution of issues to stakeholders.
• Deliverables: Assist in production of key outputs as required by the Systems Engineering roles undertaken, including System Architecture Documentation, Work Package Plans, Design and Requirement Reports/Specifications, risk assessments and associated safety documentation, etc.

We recognise that no candidate is likely to meet every criterion perfectly. If your experience is not an exact match but you believe you can make a valuable contribution to the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Additional Vacancy Information

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally. For more information on what NATS can offer you, please visit Why NATS?

We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. We also welcome discussions on flexible, part-time and alternative working arrangements. We understand the importance of balancing work with personal commitments and are committed to exploring flexible solutions where business requirements allow.

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe, we'd love to hear from you. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, including those who may be underrepresented within engineering and technology professions.

At NATS, we know that diverse teams deliver stronger outcomes. We are committed to supporting career development at every stage and creating an environment where people can contribute, grow and succeed. Whether you're looking to deepen your technical expertise, broaden your experience or take the next step in your career, you'll find opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

Please note: All staff at NATS are subject to UK Security Vetting and Clearance (SC) and must maintain valid clearance throughout employment. We are unable to progress applications where an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements for clearance. For further guidance, please visit Security Clearance - NATS.

Department: System & Software Engineering

Location: Whiteley and Prestwick, Hampshire, GB, PO15 7FL