Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace at Ultra Electronics Group

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace
Company: Ultra Precision Control Systems (Ultra PCS)
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Safety-Critical Development
Date Posted: June 18, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

Develop engineering solutions for aerospace products, focusing on Critical Control systems for Civil and Military Aerospace.
Collaborate with stakeholders to elicit and derive requirements, ensuring they are realizable and verifiable.
Manage engineering changes throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring compliance with ARP4754, DO-178, and DO-254 standards.
Prepare technical proposals and presentations, contributing to business development efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in systems engineering, with a focus on safety-critical development in the aerospace industry. Familiarity with ARP4754, DO-178, and DO-254 standards is essential, as is experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Systems Engineering: Develop solutions for aerospace industry following a systems engineering approach, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Stakeholder Communication: Hold discussions with customers and internal teams to elicit and derive key stakeholder requirements, ensuring they are clearly defined and understood.
Requirements Management: Develop and derive customer requirements into realizable product requirements, and ensure their verification and validation using manual and scripted methods.
Documentation: Produce interface control documents, system design documents, and other supporting documents to ensure traceability and compliance with standards.
Change Management: Control and manage engineering change throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring minimal impact on project timelines and resources.
Proposal Development: Prepare technical proposals, including estimations and presentations, to support business development efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong attention to detail, with a focus on requirements and specification structure, applicability, and language. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working independently and within a team, taking the initiative to identify and address project needs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree educated in an engineering or science discipline.

Experience: Proven experience in systems engineering, with a focus on safety-critical development in the aerospace industry. Familiarity with ARP4754, DO-178, and DO-254 standards is essential.

Required Skills:

Systems engineering approach and methodologies
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS)
Familiarity with safety-critical development standards (e.g., ARP4754, DO-178, DO-254)
Experience with change control and problem reporting tools and processes

Preferred Skills:

Familiarity with MATLAB and Simulink
Experience with safety-critical solution development in accordance with IEC61508
Knowledge of military aerospace standards
Experience with systems architecture and SySML modelling
Previous involvement in SOI audits and certification reviews

📝 Enhancement Note: While not strictly required, familiarity with MATLAB, Simulink, and IEC61508 can be beneficial in this role, as they are commonly used in the aerospace industry for systems engineering and safety-critical development.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A portfolio demonstrating experience in systems engineering, with a focus on safety-critical development in the aerospace industry.
Examples of requirements management, change control, and problem reporting processes.
Case studies or projects showcasing compliance with ARP4754, DO-178, and DO-254 standards.

Technical Documentation:

Technical documents demonstrating experience with requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS), change control processes, and problem reporting.
Case studies or projects showcasing successful stakeholder communication, requirements elicitation, and derivation.
Examples of technical proposals and presentations, demonstrating strong communication skills and business acumen.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a strong portfolio in this role will demonstrate an understanding of safety-critical development in the aerospace industry, with a focus on systems engineering and compliance with relevant standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (Estimated, based on industry standards for a Senior Systems Engineer in the Cambridge area with 5-10 years of experience)

Benefits:

Flexible working within core working hours
25 days holiday (185 hours) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37 hours) plus bank holidays
4 times annual salary in life assurance
Flexible benefits package
Pension scheme (up to 7.5% employer contributions)
Sports and Social club
Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with flexible working options available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on industry standards for a Senior Systems Engineer in the Cambridge area with 5-10 years of experience. Actual salary may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and company-specific policies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Ultra PCS operates in the defence and aerospace industry, specializing in the development of mission and safety-critical equipment.

Company Size: Medium-sized company with a team of experts dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and positive culture.

Founded: Ultra PCS is part of the Ultra Electronics Group, which was founded in 1994.

Team Structure:

The Senior Systems Engineer will work within the Systems Engineering team, collaborating with cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and mechanical engineers.
The team follows a matrix organization structure, with members reporting to both the Systems Engineering Manager and their respective functional managers.

Development Methodology:

Ultra PCS follows a V-model development process, ensuring traceability and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
The company emphasizes a collaborative approach, with regular team meetings and reviews to ensure alignment with project goals and objectives.

Company Website: https://www.ultra-ic.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Ultra PCS values a safe working environment and positive culture, with a focus on fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Systems Engineer, responsible for developing engineering solutions for aerospace products, focusing on Critical Control systems for Civil and Military Aerospace.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Systems Engineer will report directly to the Systems Engineering Manager and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and mechanical engineers.

Technical Impact: The Senior Systems Engineer will have a significant impact on the development of safety-critical systems for aerospace applications, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: Opportunities to develop expertise in specific domains, such as hardware, software, or mechanical engineering, and to contribute to the development of company-specific tools and processes.
Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior team members, lead projects, and contribute to the development of company strategy and roadmaps.
Career Progression: Opportunities to progress to more senior roles, such as Principal Systems Engineer or Systems Engineering Manager, with increased responsibilities and leadership opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career progression in this role is likely to involve a transition to more senior technical or leadership roles, with increased responsibilities and opportunities to influence company strategy and roadmaps.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Ultra PCS operates from multiple locations, with a hybrid working model that combines on-site and remote work.

Office Location(s): Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: Ultra PCS emphasizes a collaborative approach, with regular team meetings and reviews to ensure alignment with project goals and objectives.
Development Tools: Ultra PCS provides access to industry-standard tools and software, such as DOORS, MATLAB, and Simulink.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Senior Systems Engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and mechanical engineers, to ensure the successful development of aerospace products.

Work Schedule: 37.5 hours per week, with flexible working options available to support a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid working model at Ultra PCS allows for a flexible work-life balance, with opportunities to work on-site or remotely as needed.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Online Application Review: Ultra PCS will review your application and portfolio to ensure a strong fit with the role and company culture.
Technical Phone Screen: A brief phone call to discuss your technical background, experience, and suitability for the role.
On-Site Technical Interview: A full-day on-site interview, including technical discussions, case studies, and stakeholder simulations.
Final Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager to discuss your fit with the team and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience with systems engineering, safety-critical development, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Include examples of requirements management, change control, and problem reporting processes.
Showcase your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, both written and verbally.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of ARP4754, DO-178, and DO-254 standards, as well as any relevant domain-specific knowledge (e.g., hardware, software, or mechanical engineering).
Prepare for case studies and stakeholder simulations, demonstrating your ability to apply your technical expertise in a real-world context.
Research Ultra PCS and the aerospace industry to ensure a strong understanding of the company's mission, values, and market position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Ultra PCS is designed to assess your technical expertise, as well as your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Systems Engineering Tools:

DOORS (a good working knowledge of DXL is desirable, but not essential)
MATLAB and Simulink (desirable)
Change control and problem reporting tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence)

Aerospace Standards:

ARP4754, DO-178, and DO-254 (essential)
IEC61508 (desirable)
Military aerospace standards (desirable)

Documentation:

Microsoft Office (Visio, Excel, Word)
Systems architecture tools (e.g., SysML, UML)

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is focused on systems engineering tools and aerospace standards, with a strong emphasis on safety-critical development and compliance with relevant regulations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Systems Engineering Values:

Safety-Critical Focus: A strong commitment to safety and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Collaboration: A collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Innovation: A commitment to continuous learning and improvement, with a focus on developing cutting-edge solutions for the aerospace industry.
Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations.

Collaboration Style:

Matrix Organization: A matrix organization structure, with members reporting to both the Systems Engineering Manager and their respective functional managers.
Cross-Functional Teams: Collaboration with hardware, software, and mechanical engineers to ensure the successful development of aerospace products.
Regular Reviews: Regular team meetings and reviews to ensure alignment with project goals and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture at Ultra PCS is focused on collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, with a strong commitment to safety and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Safety-Critical Development: Developing engineering solutions that comply with relevant standards and regulations, ensuring the safety and reliability of aerospace products.
Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating with stakeholders, both verbally and written, to elicit and derive requirements, and manage engineering changes throughout the development lifecycle.
Change Management: Controlling and managing engineering change, ensuring minimal impact on project timelines and resources.
Emerging Technologies: Staying up-to-date with emerging technologies in the aerospace industry, and integrating them into the development process as appropriate.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skills: Opportunities to develop expertise in specific domains, such as hardware, software, or mechanical engineering, and to contribute to the development of company-specific tools and processes.
Leadership Skills: Opportunities to mentor junior team members, lead projects, and contribute to the development of company strategy and roadmaps.
Industry Knowledge: Opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the aerospace industry, and to develop a network of contacts within the field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical challenges and learning opportunities in this role are focused on safety-critical development, stakeholder management, and emerging technologies in the aerospace industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Systems Engineering: Questions focused on your understanding of systems engineering principles, methodologies, and tools.
Safety-Critical Development: Questions focused on your experience with safety-critical development, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Stakeholder Management: Questions focused on your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, both verbally and written, and to manage engineering changes throughout the development lifecycle.
Change Management: Questions focused on your experience with change control and problem reporting tools and processes.

Company & Culture Questions:

Company Culture: Questions focused on your understanding of Ultra PCS's mission, values, and market position.
Team Dynamics: Questions focused on your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Industry Knowledge: Questions focused on your understanding of the aerospace industry, and emerging technologies within the field.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Technical Depth: Demonstrate a deep understanding of systems engineering principles, methodologies, and tools, with a focus on safety-critical development and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Stakeholder Focus: Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, both verbally and written, and to manage engineering changes throughout the development lifecycle.
Company Alignment: Showcase your understanding of Ultra PCS's mission, values, and market position, and how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation for this role is focused on systems engineering, safety-critical development, stakeholder management, and change control, with a strong emphasis on understanding Ultra PCS's mission, values, and market position.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace position at Ultra Precision Control Systems:

Submit Your Application: Visit the Ultra PCS careers page (https://ultra.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/ultra-careers/job/Cambridge-Cambridgeshire-England-UK/Senior-Systems-Engineer---Aerospace_REQ-10321) and submit your application, including your resume, cover letter, and portfolio.
Prepare for the Technical Phone Screen: Brush up on your knowledge of systems engineering, safety-critical development, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Research Ultra PCS: Familiarize yourself with Ultra PCS's mission, values, and market position, and prepare for questions about the company and its culture.
Prepare for the On-Site Technical Interview: Prepare for technical discussions, case studies, and stakeholder simulations, demonstrating your ability to apply your technical expertise in a real-world context.
Prepare for the Final Interview: Reflect on your experiences and accomplishments, and be ready to discuss your fit with the team and company culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Senior Systems Engineer - Aerospace