Systems Engineer

Salary: £40,000 - 40,000 per year

Requirements

• We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer with proven expertise in applying Systems Engineering principles and systems development approaches.
• We require a degree in Engineering such as Systems, Mechanical, Optical, Electronics, or Software, or a closely related discipline such as Physics.
• You should have a collaborative, proactive approach and confidence working in the presence of technical ambiguity.
• You must have experience applying Systems Engineering principles to the design and development of complex or multidisciplinary systems.
• You should have experience with early lifecycle systems engineering activities, including requirements definition, system architecture, modelling, or functional decomposition.
• You must have experience working on complex technical systems such as instrumentation, research facilities, or bespoke engineered systems.
• You should be familiar with systems development approaches such as V-model, iterative, or agile.
• You must be able to produce clear and structured technical artefacts such as requirements, architectures, and models.
• Desirable: knowledge of time and frequency measurement, time scales, or precision metrology.
• Desirable: experience with real-time monitoring and control of electronic or optical hardware.
• Desirable: experience with satellite communications, optical fibre networks, or GNSS-based systems.
• Desirable: experience in research or laboratory-based engineering environments.
• We require the ability to obtain BPSS security clearance.
• For this role, we require SC clearance with no restrictions, or the ability to obtain SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• We will ask you to support early lifecycle systems engineering activities, including concept definition, functional decomposition, and requirements development.
• You will define system and subsystem architectures, including boundaries, interfaces, and packaging, in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
• You will model and analyse system behaviour, interfaces, and performance to inform design decisions and reduce technical risk.
• You will identify, assess, and communicate technical risks, assumptions, and trade-offs clearly and proportionately.
• You will produce clear, structured systems engineering artefacts, including requirements, architectures, and models, in line with our internal processes, to time, cost, and quality.
• You will ensure traceability from user needs through to system requirements and design decisions across the product lifecycle.

Technologies

• Hardware
• Support
• Security
• Backbone
• Embedded

More

We are a world-leading Time & Frequency department and a global authority in precision timing, working at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure through the National Timing Centre programme. Backed by a government investment of £180 million, we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability to provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems that are increasingly vulnerable to disruption. Our work underpins essential services including telecommunications, online banking, emergency response, transport networks, and wider digital and data-driven operations, helping ensure they remain secure, reliable, and robust. We are part of the National Physical Laboratory, a world-leading centre of excellence in measurement science, engineering, and technology. We offer a supportive, inclusive culture with strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, flexible working, social activities, rewards, benefits, recognition, and a focus on health, well-being, and work-life balance. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and can make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

last updated 25 week of 2026