Senior Systems Engineer

Job Title: Systems Engineer – Defence
Location: Bristol, on site with some flexibility. 
Security Clearance: Must hold or be eligible for SC Clearance (minimum 5 years’ UK residency required)
Employment Type: Permanent
Experience: 5 years minimum 

The Opportunity

Copello is partnering with a trusted Copello Partner providing independent science and technology consultancy expertise to help solve the most complex challenges faced by mission-critical defence programmes.

With over 60 years of experience supporting Government and Defence projects, this organisation works across land, sea, air, joint, and digital domains—supporting the UK MOD and global partners with cutting-edge systems engineering and technology solutions.

They are now seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join their growing team and play a key role in delivering advanced defence systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Systems Design & Architecture: Develop and refine architectures for defence programmes, ensuring alignment with MOD requirements.

• Requirements Engineering: Capture, analyse, and manage user and system-level requirements to support procurement and assurance activities.

• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Apply MBSE tools and methodologies to enhance design, verification, and traceability.

• System Integration & Testing: Oversee SoS integration, interoperability, and testing to validate system performance and readiness.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with MOD and industry stakeholders, translating operational needs into effective technical solutions.

• Risk & Compliance: Identify risks, ensure compliance with defence standards, and support technical documentation and reporting.

• Technology Evaluation: Assess and recommend emerging technologies to enhance system capability and performance.

Skills & Experience

We’re looking for Systems Engineers with:

• Proven experience in Defence or consultancy environments.

• Strong knowledge of MOD acquisition frameworks (e.g. URD, SRD, CONEMP/CONUSE, ITEAP).

• Familiarity with Defence Lines of Development and how they influence capability requirements.

• Understanding of operational environments and factors such as cyber, climate, and population.

• Experience with DOORS or Dimensions RM for requirements management.

• Understanding of modern Systems Engineering and MBSE approaches.

Desirable:

• Degree in Engineering, Systems, or related discipline.

• Experience in UK MOD programmes (Frontline Commands or Delivery Agents).

Requirements

• Existing right to live and work in the UK.

• Eligible for or already holding SC Security Clearance.

• Must pass BPSS pre-employment screening.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

• Private medical cover and company profit-share scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Hybrid and flexible working

• Career development and technical training opportunities

Join a leading Copello Partner with a strong heritage in defence innovation—where your expertise in Systems Engineering will help shape the next generation of national defence capabilities.