Head of Discipline – Systems Engineering

Overview

In this role, you lead the Systems Engineering discipline across SEA to ensure robust architectures, requirements, and lifecycle execution for complex defence-related projects. You will shape practices, governance, and competencies to deliver safe, compliant, and effective systems. You’ll collaborate with engineering leads and project teams to manage risk, drive improvements, and uphold international standards. This position offers flexible site options and impact across multiple sites, contributing to SEA’s mission to protect what matters.

Pay / Benefits

• Hybrid/flexible working
• 25 days’ annual leave (buy/sell)
• Private medical health insurance
• Group Pension Plan (up to 8% employer contribution)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing Centre

Responsibilities

• Own requirements management practice and traceability
• Define and maintain system architecture approaches
• Ensure integration, verification and validation planning is robust
• Support technical risk reduction and trade-off decisions
• Ensure alignment with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and defence lifecycle expectations
• Provide assurance at lifecycle gates and technical reviews
• Own Systems Engineering standards, processes, methods, and tools
• Ensure engineers are trained, competent, and deployed
• Provide technically capable resources to projects and products
• Maintain discipline compliance with AS9100, ISO 15288 and defence lifecycle requirements
• Drive continuous improvement within the discipline
• Participate in technical reviews, audits, and governance as required
• Support Engineering Leads with subject matter leadership and challenge

Key requirements

• STEM degree and/or equivalent engineering qualifications
• Engineering leadership experience in UK defence/security/Automotive/Aerospace
• Direct experience leading a varied engineering function of at least 25 engineers
• Lifecycle delivery of complex systems
• Requirements management tools and methods (e.g., DOORS NG)
• System architecture and interface management
• Integration, verification, validation and acceptance
• Engineering governance in regulated/safety-conscious environments
• Deep technical expertise and professional credibility
• Strong people leadership and coaching capability
• Objective, consistent, and fair decision maker
• Ability to balance functional priorities with project needs

• strong people leadership and coaching
• objective decision making
• cross-functional collaboration
• DOORS NG or equivalent
• system architecture and interface management
• integration, verification, validation, and acceptance

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