Systems Lead - Programme

Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications

Cyber (UK) Business

Powering Decision

Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield—find your place in the future of defense.

Cyber Business

Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide.

Job Description

The Systems Lead – Programme role is responsible for, and assures, a hierarchical implementation of the ISO 15288 processes and practices across the Systems Engineering life cycle, for the assigned programme/multiple projects. This Lead role owns the solution in response to the collective technical requirements for a programme/set of projects; furthering the clarity of the requirements for engagement and flow down to the other disciplines; quantifying the relationships of the projects in the programme; managing the delivery of the required deliverables associated to the candidate solution/capability, whilst also assuring the evidence-base offers a managed approach to progressive acceptance.

As a professional at this grade, they need to be able to apply their technical and leadership knowledge, making independent judgements based on reasoned decision making and significant previous experience. Often seen as a referral point or more senior team member, to escape more complex challenges and opportunities to both the programme and Systems discipline. This role is expected to act independently with minimal guidance and may mentor programme/project managers/other discipline leads/engineers/early careers.

Key Responsibilities

• Represents the Systems discipline as the lead Systems Engineer assigned to a programme/projects, owning the totality of the Systems assigned work packages and tasking, to deliver obligations and commitments to the agreed processes, plans, quality, schedule and budget.
• Supports the Engineering Programme Lead (EPL) in delivering the delegated engineering management obligations of a programme, to the agreed plans, budget and schedule. Defines the team resources needed and delegates leadership and technical responsibilities applicable to the assigned work packages and assurance tasks to the allocated systems project teams.
• Is responsible for all aspects of the development of technical capabilities/solutions for large and complex engineering problems, demonstrate alignment to Systems Engineering practices, principles and processes, to ensure customer requirements are satisfied.
• Supports and assures each project allocated Principal System Lead in the development of technical capabilities/solutions assuring the application of applicable practices, principles and processes, to ensure customer requirements are satisfied on each project in the programme/assigned project.
• Quantifies and implements a marriage of technical processes and technical management processes to achieve the desired capability/solution, delivering Systems Engineering artefacts, as required, across the engineering development lifecycle, to result in a positive outcome.
• Provide technical direction and exert technical influence across the programme, such that the optimal approach, applicable processes, risk mitigations, architecture, design, and implementation are selected/identified.
• Work closely with the system, hardware, firmware and software architects and design authorities to ensure consistency, design for modularity and re-use, and technical excellence.
• Plan and deliver design reviews, to senior management and customers, to a level of clarity and quality to ensure a successful event/outcome.
• Leads, manages and reports Systems aspects of the programme to achieve optimal balance between requirements, solution maturity, technical risk, schedule and cost.
• Manage customers and external suppliers to define and achieve expectations and objectives, for the System lead to achieve acceptance via the technical capability and related products.
• Ensure and review technical/task proposals, providing accurate estimates for the associated effort, costs and risks, for bids and proposals, leading to contract award.
• Technically lead other programme/project discipline lead/s, working with programme management and the engineering programme lead, to create proposals associated to the technical solution, that drive down project costs, risk and increase margin.
• Reviews and signs off significant technical documents; frequently supporting the technical review chair with the significant deliverables.
• Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual to ensure compliance with Government regulations.
• Actively supports and offers value add improvements to the Systems discipline to grow the overall capability as a whole.
• As required supports recruitment, early careers development and STEM engagement.
• Line Management duties, proactively leading and coaching reports, aid the creation of development plans and support execution, whilst measuring continuous improvement in others.

Essential Qualifications, Skills & Experience Required

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or have suitable Defence/Aerospace industry experience.
• Significant experience and a full understanding of Systems Engineering, the lifecycle, System of Systems principles, capability delivery, various development models and associated processes.
• Significant experience of developing high quality requirements and establishing a fully compliant capability/solution.
• Attained experience in a product line/capability-based approach supporting a capability framework/family of products, quantifying the common and explicit aspects and means to manage the associated dynamics of all.
• Demonstrable experience/vast understanding of implementing the full Engineering lifecycle as per the applicable ISO/IEEE/IEC standards/fundamental practices/principles and processes.
• Technical and Line management experience of a team of systems engineers across a programme/set of projects.
• Experience in writing high quality technical documentation and the formal technical review of such material.
• Substantial knowledge of System Engineering practices, methodologies, processes, techniques and technology trends and use of appropriate tools.
• Previous experience of hands‑on capability development of hardware, software or firmware embedded solutions.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• INCOSE recognition ASEP/CSEP/ESEP
• Experience working as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) and developing new areas of expertise as and when required.
• NCSC security processes and familiar with delivery of associated security artefacts.

Notice

Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export‑controlled material as defined by the role's requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website.

Our Benefits

• Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Cover
• 25 days’ holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days
• Pension Contribution
• 4 x Life Assurance Cover
• Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1 pm finish on a Friday
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more
• Security Clearance Allowance – where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers. We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible. If you have any issues with your application, please email us at

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