Description
The Lead Systems Engineer will play a critical role within a major UK defence IT delivery programme, taking ownership of requirements management, traceability, and the formal acceptance process. The role will act as a key technical and assurance interface between the delivery organisation and the UK Ministry of Defence ensuring that contractual, functional, and non‑functional requirements are fully met, evidenced, and formally accepted.
This position requires a senior engineer with strong systems engineering discipline, experience operating in high‑assurance, regulated environments, and the confidence to engage directly with MOD stakeholders, assurance bodies, and delivery teams.
Location
Farnborough
Security Clearance Level
High ‘Developed Vetting’ (DV)
Requirements Management
- Lead the end‑to‑end requirements management lifecycle, from capture and baseline through to verification and acceptance
- Ensure requirements are clear, testable, traceable, and aligned to contractual and operational needs
- Maintain robust requirements traceability matrices (RTMs) linking requirements to design, implementation, and test evidence
- Manage requirements change control in line with programme governance
Acceptance & Assurance
- Own and manage the acceptance strategy and acceptance plan for the IT delivery programme
- Define and agree acceptance criteria with MOD stakeholders
- Coordinate and oversee acceptance activities, ensuring objective evidence is produced and collated
- Support formal acceptance events, reviews, and assurance boards
- Ensure all acceptance evidence is complete, auditable, and compliant with defence standards
MOD & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a primary technical interface with UK MOD representatives
- Lead technical discussions, reviews, and workshops with MOD stakeholders
- Provide clear, defensible positions on requirements compliance and acceptance status
- Support responses to MOD queries, assurance findings, and audit activity
Systems Engineering Leadership
- Provide technical leadership across systems engineering activities within the programme
- Ensure systems engineering practices align with recognised standards (e.g. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 or equivalent)
- Support integration activities across infrastructure, applications, and security domains
- Mentor and guide engineers in requirements and acceptance best practice
Documentation & Governance
- Produce and maintain high‑quality systems engineering documentation, including:
- Requirements specifications
- Acceptance plans and reports
- Compliance and traceability artefacts
- Ensure documentation meets MOD and programme governance standards
- Contribute to design reviews, readiness reviews, and assurance milestones
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience as a Lead or Senior Systems Engineer within defence or highly regulated IT environments
- Strong background in requirements engineering and acceptance management for large‑scale IT systems
- Demonstrable experience working directly with the UK MOD or equivalent government bodies
- Experience delivering IT systems through formal acceptance and assurance processes
- Strong understanding of systems engineering lifecycle and governance
- Ability to operate effectively in secure, classified environments
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
Desirable Experience
- Experience with defence IT infrastructure, secure networks, or mission‑critical systems
- Familiarity with MOD assurance frameworks and delivery governance
- Experience supporting formal audits or independent assurance reviews
Personal Attributes
- Authoritative and credible when engaging senior stakeholders
- Detail‑driven with a strong focus on evidence and compliance
- Comfortable operating in complex, high‑pressure delivery environments
- Pragmatic, structured, and outcome‑focused
Pay Range
£61,500.00-£78,800.00
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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