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Senior System Engineer

Clearance Level
SC
Salary Range
£56,000 - 62,250
Employment Type
FULL TIME
Work Style
onsite

// Role Summary

Join QinetiQ as a Senior Systems Engineer in Bristol or other UK locations, working on cutting-edge defence technology and innovative test and training systems.

// Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and deliver systems for defence testing, evaluation, and mission rehearsal.
  • Collaborate with project managers, customers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Work across the engineering lifecycle from concept definition to in-service delivery.
  • Engage with diverse technologies including surveillance, instrumentation, and command systems.
  • Requires strong systems engineering, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Opportunity for professional growth in a state-of-the-art facility.

// Role Specification

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Senior Systems Engineer to join our Mission Rehearsal and Test & Evaluation teams at QinetiQ. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to complex engineering programmes, develop cutting-edge test and training systems, and collaborate with leading UK technical specialists. If you thrive on solving challenging engineering problems, enjoy working across multiple technologies, and seeing your solutions move from concept to deployment, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the development and delivery of systems supporting defence testing, evaluation, and mission rehearsal activities. You will collaborate with project managers, customers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to create solutions that provide real operational value. Your work will span the entire engineering lifecycle, including defining requirements, developing architectures, supporting integration and verification, and contributing to successful delivery into service. This hands-on role offers significant variety, technical challenges, and opportunities for professional development.

Key Technologies and Systems

  • Large-area surveillance and tracking systems
  • Precision instrumentation and measurement capabilities
  • Integrated command, control, and communication systems
  • Customer and supplier platform integration
  • Advanced test, evaluation, and mission rehearsal environments

Essential Experience

  • Experience in systems engineering or a related technical discipline.
  • Understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle and engineering governance.
  • Proven experience in delivering engineering projects from concept to implementation.
  • Knowledge of systems integration involving hardware, software, communications, or infrastructure.
  • Strong problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Experience within defence, aerospace, transport, communications, critical national infrastructure, or other complex engineering environments is advantageous but not essential.

Qualifications

A degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related discipline is desirable. However, we value practical experience and a willingness to learn, so please apply if you meet the experience requirements.

Location and Working Hours

This role is based at our Bristol site or any major UK QinetiQ location, with a standard 37-hour week. A minimum average site attendance of three days per week is expected, with travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites required.

About QinetiQ

QinetiQ operates state-of-the-art facilities across the UK, focusing on defence, security, and technology innovation. We enable a wide range of research, testing, and development activities that support both military and civilian applications, contributing to technological advancement and national security.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.