Industrial Placement - Systems Engineer

About the Role

Northrop Grumman UK is seeking an Industrial Placement Systems Engineer to contribute to the development of Platform Management Systems for the UK’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. This is a unique opportunity to gain practical systems engineering experience on critical technology that supports national defence programmes. You will be instrumental in the effective delivery of systems engineering activities across the engineering lifecycle, ensuring complex systems meet customer requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to systems engineering activities from requirements through to acceptance, including verification and validation.
• Assist in producing project systems engineering deliverables and support continuous process improvement.
• Complete assigned activities in line with approved plans, processes, and procedures.
• Help estimate the scope and effort required for systems engineering activities.
• Monitor assigned tasks, timescales, and expenditure against agreed schedules and budgets.
• Support project reviews, including design, risk, and change-impact reviews.
• Contribute to defect, fault, and issue management, including rectification and regression activities.
• Apply relevant departmental, industry, regulatory, and legislative standards to support safety, security, and compliance.

Experience You Could Gain

• Systems engineering lifecycles
• Requirements management
• Verification and validation
• Project and milestone reviews
• Task, schedule, and budget management
• Design, risk, and change-impact reviews
• Defect, fault, and issue management
• Safety, security, and regulatory compliance
• Working within multidisciplinary engineering teams

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking curious students eager to develop practical experience in a mission-led engineering environment. You should possess a proactive approach, an interest in systems and control engineering, and the confidence to contribute within multidisciplinary teams.

• Currently working towards a relevant degree (e.g., Electronics, Mechanical, Systems, or Software Engineering) or can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
• Knowledge of systems engineering, including verification and validation.
• Knowledge of control systems.
• Familiarity with DOORS or a similar requirements management tool.
• An understanding of verification methods used to demonstrate requirement satisfaction.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Visio, PowerPoint, Excel).
• The confidence to present at reviews and meetings involving internal and external stakeholders.

We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and those who may not meet every listed requirement but believe they can grow into the role.

About the Industrial Placement Programme

Our structured 12-month Industrial Placement Programme is designed to equip you with the practical skills for a successful career in defence and technology. Starting in September 2027, you will contribute to meaningful systems engineering work, participate in a group project, and receive guidance from a dedicated mentor, buddy, project lead, and line manager.

Security Clearance and Citizenship

Due to the nature of our work, candidates must hold sole UK citizenship and be able to obtain and maintain UK Government Security Check (SC) clearance.

Benefits

• Flexible working options, including hybrid arrangements and compressed fortnights.
• Private healthcare, dental, life assurance, and pension.
• Flexible benefits package.
• Holiday buy and sell scheme.
• Career development programmes.
• Annual performance incentive programme.

Location

New Malden, London

Travel

Approximately 10% travel required.