Senior Systems Engineer

Bedford, Bedfordshire · Inside IR35 · Rate not stated · Contract · Posted 30 October 2026

Nicholas Howard are delighted to be recruiting for a Senior Systems Engineer to join a leading global defence client on an initial 12 month contract. The role is inside IR35. Reporting to the Programme Chief Engineers,…

Inside IR35 Engineering
Contract type Contract
Location Bedford, Bedfordshire
Posted 30 October 2026

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About this contract

Nicholas Howard are delighted to be recruiting for a Senior Systems Engineer to join a leading global defence client on an initial 12 month contract. The role is inside IR35.

Reporting to the Programme Chief Engineers, the successful candidate’s specific role scope will be subject to assigned programmes, but will include a range of systems engineering activities as follows:

* Classical requirements management and development on highly complex major programmes - DOORS essential.

* Verification Planning.

* System design

* Research Projects.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

* We are looking for engineers with relevant higher-level qualifications (e.g. Bachelors / Masters in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical / Electronic, Engineering).

* Candidates would ideally have higher level academic or industrial experience in Systems Engineering.

* Relevant experience of the engineering development lifecycle.

* Experience / understanding of MBSE as applied to various programme lifecycle stages.

* Be able to multi-task: candidate will be required to lead and coordinate on work-packages, potentially across multiple programmes.

* Strong communication skills required to liaise with Senior Stakeholders both within the company and customers.

* Must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria: a minimum of SC Clearance will be required for the role, however holding a DV or being prepared to go through an application immediately will be beneficial.

Suitable candidates may have proven experience of following systems activities:​​​​

* Requirements derivation.

* Definition and monitoring of Technical KPIs.

* System architecture and sub-system derivation.

* Experience in varied architecture frameworks / methodologies.

* Sequence/Activity/Use case Diagrams.

* Interface Definitions (ICDs and IDLs).

* Data Distribution Systems and Data Links.

* Research and Development

Candidates will benefit from:

* Experience in working in a classified setting.

* Experience in Architecture Frameworks (e.g. UAF / NAF)

* Experience in SysML/UML using CAMEO, Rhapsody.

* IBM Jazz (DOORS-NG and Test-Manager/Quality-Manager).

* Experience in Matlab & Simulink.

* AI/ML Tools and techniques.

* Experience of working with Software teams and developments (e.g. Agility, Sprints, Kanbans).

* Using collaborative teamworking tools (sharepoint, JIRA, Confluence).

* M&S studies such as Computational Fluid Dynamics, trajectory modelling, Finite Element Analysis or the application of complex algorithms to engineering challenges.

Please note SC clearance is required for this role. Role can start on basic.

Should you wish to be considered for this position, please apply below

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