Defence | Systems Engineering | Test & Equipment Delivery- COMPETITIVE RATES OUTSIDE IR-35
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Systems Engineer with a strong Test RMO focus and an Electrical Engineering background to support the delivery of complex defence equipment for a leading Customer / End Client.
This role sits at the intersection of systems engineering, test, requirements, and project delivery, taking end‑to‑end responsibility for assigned equipment work packages — from requirements ownership and supplier management through to testing, qualification, and delivery into the wider system.
It is a great opportunity for engineers who enjoy owning equipment-level delivery, working across multiple stakeholders, and ensuring technical compliance through a structured and disciplined test approach.
What You’ll Be Doing
Equipment & Work Package Ownership
- Own the equipment work package(s) on behalf of the project, including planning, cost control, schedule management, and delivery assurance.
- Take accountability for the equipment hardware lifecycle, covering development, manufacture, delivery, concessions, non‑conformances, and fault resolution.
- Act as the primary technical interface for the equipment with internal stakeholders and the Customer / End Client.
Requirements & Test RM Ownership
- Take full accountability for the requirements set for the allocated equipment(s), working closely with Systems Engineering and Subject Matter Experts.
- Ensure requirements are clear, traceable, verifiable, and aligned to higher‑level system needs.
- Own the equipment test and compliance strategy, including defining test needs and reviewing qualification and verification evidence.
- Ensure that evidence supports requirements compliance, certification, and acceptance.
Test, Verification & Reviews
- Plan and coordinate equipment‑level testing and qualification activities.
- Review and approve test plans, procedures, and reports.
- Plan and chair design reviews and process gate reviews for assigned equipment.
- Ensure lessons learned from testing, faults, or concessions are captured and fed back into the design and delivery process.
Supplier & Design Authority Management
- Produce Statements of Work (SOWs) for internal and external design authorities.
- Technically manage internal and external suppliers/design authorities, ensuring delivery to time, cost, quality, and performance constraints.
- Maintain regular engagement with suppliers, including on‑site visits where required.
- Support contract and delivery discussions by providing clear technical input and risk awareness.
Project Management & Governance
- Create and maintain equipment‑level plans, showing design, manufacture, test, and delivery activities.
- Manage risks and opportunities, ensuring mitigations are identified, tracked, and implemented.
- Provide accurate and timely progress reporting to programme and systems leadership.
- Support overall programme governance and decision‑making with robust technical insight.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience
- Degree or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Experience working as a Systems Engineer or Test RM in a defence, aerospace, or safety‑critical environment.
- Strong understanding of requirements management, including ownership, traceability, and verification.
- Experience defining and managing equipment‑level test and qualification activities.
- Proven ability to manage suppliers and design authorities delivering hardware solutions.
- Comfortable owning cost, schedule, risk, and performance for equipment work packages.
- Confident stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior engineers and customers.
Desirable
- Experience working with electrical or electro‑mechanical equipment.
- Familiarity with design reviews, certification processes, and formal engineering governance.
- Experience producing Statements of Work or supporting contractual delivery.
- Background in delivering equipment through full lifecycle: requirements → design → test → acceptance.
Why This Role?
- Take real ownership of equipment delivery within a complex defence programme.
- Combine systems engineering discipline with hands‑on test and delivery responsibility.
- Work closely with suppliers and customers in a technically demanding environment.
- Develop both technical depth and project leadership capability.
