Senior Systems Engineer

Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer

Location: Rochester, Kent UK

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are available, with an office presence required to support collaboration and business delivery

Salary: £45,000 - £60,000 dependent on skills and experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

This role centres on understanding complex customer needs and translating them into clear, multi-level requirements. It involves developing advanced system architectures using Model-Based Systems Engineering and overseeing the integration, analysis and testing of real-time systems that combine electronic, mechanical, optical and software elements. Accountability for collaborative technical work packages is key, ensuring outcomes align with customer expectations.

Alongside technical delivery, the role includes verifying that solutions fully satisfy customer needs and guiding or coaching other engineers to strengthen team capability. It also drives the development of new and improved systems by applying best-practice lifecycle processes and modern approaches such as Learn First and Agile, ensuring efficient, high-quality system evolution.

Core duties:

• Understanding our customers’ complex needs and collaborating to develop, validate and manage requirements at multiple levels
• Developing complex system architectures and sub-systems using a Model Based Systems Engineering approach
• Being involved in the Integration, analysis and test of real time systems containing multiple technical disciplines such as electronic, mechanical, optical and software sub-systems
• Taking accountability for collaborative technical work package execution and associated outcomes and providing guidance, coaching and nurturing talent in other engineers

Essential Skills:

• A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant Scientific/Engineering subject (e.g., Systems Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics or Mathematics)
• Proven experience in requirements management, design analyses, modelling and simulation, using tools such as DOORS, Siemens Polarion, Enterprise Architect, MATLAB and/or Simulink and design methodologies such as SysML

• Customer and/or supplier liaison experience for technical aspects, verifying and obtaining agreement that customer needs are satisfied

• It is desirable that you will have experience in integration, test, and verification of real time and/or safety related systems, with understanding of safety assessment processes including how these processes influence the design

The Systems Engineering Team:

You’ll be part of the development and supply of products across a diverse mix of commercial and military platforms; Head Up and Head Worn Displays, Safety Critical Pilot Control and Flight Control Systems. We encourage our Systems Engineers to gain a breadth of knowledge across these domains to become subject matter experts in one or more product domain, or systems engineering specialism.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 16th November 2026

Engineering

Experienced professionals