Job description for Systems Engineer

As a Systems Engineer, you will support Delivery Teams by offering expert advice and guidance across a wide range of specialisms. These may include eliciting engineering requirements, application of Defence standards and understanding of system architecture. You’ll also be involved in performance analysis and design, technical evaluation, verification and validation, as well as testing and evaluation. Your role will extend to overseeing systems integration activities across various environmental and technological domains.

DE&S is a dynamic, forward-looking organisation at the forefront of defence innovation where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. As a Systems Engineer, you’ll contribute to some of the UK’s most high-profile and technologically advanced programmes. Examples of this include the Voyager, Future Capability Innovation, Chemical Biological Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN), Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Protector Remotely Piloted Air Systems, Autonomous Systems, Submarines, Tactical Data Links, Guided Weapons, Challenger 2 LEP, Skynet, Air Defence Systems, and Land based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.

It would be advantageous to have integrated battle space experience, but this isn’t essential and can be gained whilst in post.

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Requirements – Assist in the generation of technical requirements, defining technical deliverables/artifacts and updating other documentation for sub-systems, including the considerations to in-service support and associated costs.
• Technical Data – Responsible for evaluating the problem space, collecting, and analysing data and delivering problem resolution. Supports the implementation of recommendations to deliver the benefits predicted.
• Stakeholder Management – Provide advice and support to clients and other stakeholders, helping them to understand and correctly frame their requirement. Use appropriate tools, processes or methods to bring clarity and understanding to situations based on experience and expertise. Identify opportunities to implement best practice.
• Risk – Acts upon identified risk (such as safety, environment, support, financial) and applies the principles of risk management.
• Technical Discipline – Provide technical leadership and expert guidance to clients and other stakeholders to enhance the capability and effectiveness of the deliverable.
• Assurance – Support and participate in assurance, audit, and reviews activity.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Have experience of providing technical advice and delivery of successful Systems Engineering outcomes
• Have technical Systems Engineering experience in a variety of contexts

As a minimum hold either:

• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 6
• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4, plus with a Professional body/institution related to your discipline
• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 3, plus a minimum of 3 further years of relevant professional experience
• With a Professional body/institution related to your discipline, hold current professional registration at the level listed below, plus a minimum of 3 further years of relevant professional experience:
• Engineering Technician (EngTech) or
• Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions – CSBC 3 
• Core Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing – CSBC 3 
• Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking – Supervised Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions – Supervised Practitioner

 Offered Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,600, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,892 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. 

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission