Systems Engineer: Photonics and Acoustics

In this role you will contribute to the Photonics and Acoustics Group, applying photonics, acoustics and related technologies to solve real-world engineering challenges. You will work on multidisciplinary projects within a defence-focused environment, with opportunities to lead technical work, mentor others, and influence bid and delivery activities. The role supports the group’s mission to deliver advanced communications, sensing, and imaging capabilities across complex platforms. This position offers scope to advance to principal engineering leadership, influencing strategy and delivering high-impact programmes.

• 25 days holiday a year
• private medical and dental insurance
• competitive pension scheme
• cycle to work scheme
• hybrid working
• learning and development support

• Lead technical work on complex projects and potentially manage teams
• Contribute to bids and secure future work through technical input
• Provide technical oversight across multiple programmes and technology areas
• Mentor and develop junior staff and/or supervise engineers and scientists
• Demonstrate track record in delivering research, development or engineering programmes in collaboration with customers and stakeholders
• Lead, influence and communicate engineering strategy and decisions across multi-disciplinary teams
• Deliver on project delivery, risk management, and stakeholder engagement in line with cost, schedule and performance goals

• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Physics; Electronic/Electrical Engineering; or related) or equivalent experience
• Background in physics, electrical engineering or related discipline
• Experience in systems integration, development, and prototyping
• Solid engineering grounding on complex, multi-disciplinary projects
• Chartered Engineer status desirable (advantageous, especially at Principal Engineer level)
• Ability to assess emerging technologies and apply them to real-world problems
• Strong communication skills and ability to present to customers or at conferences
• Ability to capture requirements from customers and identify risks and opportunities in plans
• Collaborative mindset; ability to lead or be a strong team member; foster inclusive delivery

• strong communication
• leadership and mentoring
• collaboration
• Photonics
• Acoustics
• Optical communications