Defence jobs in United Kingdom

Company Description

About us

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our diverse teams of experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

• Flexible working - We operate in a hybrid working environment where we come into a client site or office, at least 2-3 days per week.
• Travel to client site will be necessary as and when the client requires.
• This role can be based from our Bristol, London (Victoria), or Manchester office.
• Application deadline: ASAP.

Stuck in a rut, needing a new challenge?

Our Systems Insights and Solutions team are looking for exceptional System Architects to partner with specialists from across the breadth of PA to turn complex, dynamic, and interconnected challenges into opportunity. You will be a Systems Architect with experience from one of the following sectors: Defence and Security, Public Services, Transport, Energy and Utilities, and more.

You will tackle some of PA’s hardest problems by applying proven Systems Architecture, Systems Engineering, and System Thinking techniques to break down and solve complex problems which span organisations and disciplines (people, process, information, technology).

Our success is driven by our capability to understand the problem and solution spaces, from business need to component design, drawing on a wealth of knowledge from our diverse team of talented consultants. We combine our knowledge on Systems Architecture, Systems Engineering, and Systems Thinking to be the go-to company for developing practical and innovative systems for complex real-world strategic issues.

Our Services range from: Decision & Planning Support, System of Systems & Enterprise Design, Complex Engineering Delivery and Systems Analysis & Resilience. Our deep expertise and collaborative approach ensure we drive impactful outcomes across all our engagements.

Past projects have included:

• Designing and procuring UK MOD’s future satellite communications services.
• Creating a new international collaboration to design and develop the next generation of fighter jets.
• Improving the resilience of the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

This role will include model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and tailoring and application of various architecture frameworks and tools. Examples of such application might include:

• Optimisation of mixed technical-digital systems and Operational Technology across large scale platforms in Defence.
• Use of MBSE to articulate architecture and design.
• Implementation of organisational design methodologies to create new ways of working for our clients.
• Design of systems-based frameworks and governance models to improve capability procurement and management.
• Development of cutting-edge transport solutions which are shaped by the requirements of modern societies.
• Implementation of AI and machine learning to transform data analysis and engineering delivery.

• Proven experience in the application of Systems Architecture, Engineering, and Thinking mindset, tools and approaches, helping to resolve a range of complex and societally meaningful client challenges.
• Strong analytical skills, and be able to apply more creative and abstract thinking to help develop ingenious solutions.
• As a client-facing role, you will be expected to engage and present to clients with strong verbal and written communication skills, able to highlight recommendations and insights.
• Experience as a Systems Engineer or in a similar role, with a particular focus on Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies.
• Experience using modelling and/or architecture industry standard tooling, frameworks and languages. This may include (but is not limited to):
• Tools - Sparx EA, MooD, Archi, Capella, IBM Rational Rhapsody, NoMagic/MagicDraw.
• Frameworks – TOGAF, MODAF, Zachman, TRAK, Arcadia, NAF, DoDAF.
• Languages, UML - SysML, Archimate, BPMN.

Beneficial experience includes:

• Experience working across an engineering enterprise at different stages of the systems engineering lifecycle.
• Demonstrated expertise in solution definition and design, particularly in defining system boundaries, identifying interdependencies across the wider ecosystem, and recognising key stakeholders.
• Familiarity with open architecture.

We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application.

#LI-KP1

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose-led meaningful work.

We believe diversity fuels ingenuity. Diversity of thought brings exciting perspectives; diversity of experience brings a wealth of knowledge, and diversity of skills brings the tools we need. When we bring people together with diverse backgrounds, identities, and minds, embracing that difference through an inclusive culture where our people thrive; we unleash the power of diversity – bringing ingenuity to life.

Find out more about Life at PA here.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare for you and your family.
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days.
• Generous company pension scheme.
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives.
• Annual performance-based bonus.
• PA share ownership.
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn).

We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or other by any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We are on a journey towards ensuring our workforce is diverse at all levels and that our firm is representative of the world around us. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.