Senior Systems Engineer – Defence (Underwater Systems) at ALTEN

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer – Defence (Underwater Systems)
Company: ALTEN
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (2/3 days per week on site)
Category: Senior Systems Engineering
Date Posted: June 23, 2025
Experience Level: Senior (8+ years)
Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

Play a key role in shaping the future of underwater defence technology.
Deliver impactful engineering in a secure, high-integrity environment, supporting national defence capability.
Work on a complex multi-domain architecture, taking ownership across the entire systems engineering lifecycle.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to produce high-quality artefacts from concepts to test readiness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on mission-critical submarine systems, applying systems engineering expertise to support defence capability.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Own and deliver system-level engineering work packages across the entire V-Model lifecycle.
Lead and contribute to systems design, architecture development, and requirements derivation.
Apply systems thinking to identify and mitigate technical risks, dependencies, and system interfaces.
Analyse and interpret User Requirements Documents (URDs), create and manage baselines.
Define and execute validation and verification strategies for complex hardware/software systems.
Collaborate within project teams to produce high-quality artefacts, from concepts to test readiness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of the entire systems engineering lifecycle, with a focus on delivering high-quality artefacts and mitigating technical risks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in a relevant field such as Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Electronics, Mechanical, or Physics.
A Master’s degree in a related technical discipline is highly desirable.
Alternatively, a relevant technical background in the UK Armed Forces with applied systems engineering experience is equally valued.

Experience:

8+ years in systems engineering within defence, maritime, or similarly regulated sectors.
Strong command of DOORS, requirements management, and V lifecycle development.
Understanding of submarine systems, complex defence architectures, or systems-of-systems.
Familiarity with system safety, risk mitigation, and change management best practices.
Proven ability to work independently, manage delivery, and communicate effectively.
Must hold (or be eligible for) SC Clearance.

Required Skills:

Systems Engineering
DOORS
Requirements Management
V Lifecycle Development
Submarine Systems
Defence Architectures
Systems-of-Systems
System Safety
Risk Mitigation
Change Management
Independent Work
Delivery Management
Effective Communication

Preferred Skills:

Master's degree in a related technical discipline
Relevant technical background in the UK Armed Forces

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong educational background in systems engineering or a related field, with a focus on practical experience in defence or maritime sectors.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of systems engineering principles and their application to underwater defence systems.
Showcase experience in requirements management, architecture development, and risk mitigation.
Highlight successful delivery of complex engineering projects, with a focus on high-quality artefacts and stakeholder communication.

Technical Documentation:

Provide examples of User Requirements Documents (URDs), system design documents, and validation/verification strategies.
Demonstrate understanding of system safety, risk mitigation, and change management best practices through relevant project documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong portfolio demonstrating experience in systems engineering for defence or maritime projects, with a focus on requirements management and risk mitigation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Competitive, regionally adjusted for the Manchester area.

Benefits:

Private Medical Insurance
Pension Scheme
Cycle-to-work Scheme
Flexible way of working (role dependent)
Social atmosphere, regular gatherings, and team buildings

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (2/3 days per week on site).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range for this role is competitive and regionally adjusted for the Manchester area. Benefits include private medical insurance, pension scheme, and cycle-to-work scheme, among others.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: ALTEN operates in the defence, aerospace, and energy sectors, providing engineering and IT services to leading companies worldwide.

Company Size: ALTEN is a large, global organisation with over 54,000 employees across more than 30 countries.

Founded: ALTEN was founded in 1983 and has since grown into a leading engineering and IT services company.

Team Structure:

The team consists of experienced systems engineers working on mission-critical defence projects.
The role reports directly to the project manager and collaborates with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software engineers, project managers, and stakeholders.

Development Methodology:

The team follows the V lifecycle development methodology for systems engineering.
Agile methodologies are used for project management and collaboration.

Company Website: alten.com

📝 Enhancement Note: ALTEN's company culture is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and continuous improvement. The team structure for this role is collaborative, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder communication.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Systems Engineer – Defence (Underwater Systems)

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the project manager and collaborates with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software engineers, project managers, and stakeholders.

Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on the development and delivery of mission-critical defence systems, directly supporting national defence capability.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical skill development in underwater defence systems and complex defence architectures.
Leadership and management opportunities within the defence sector.
Career progression within ALTEN's global organisation, with opportunities to work on diverse defence projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant technical impact and growth opportunities within the defence sector, with a focus on underwater defence systems and complex defence architectures.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid – 2/3 days per week on site in Manchester.

Office Location(s): Manchester, United Kingdom

Workspace Context:

The workspace is collaborative, with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and stakeholder communication.
The team uses modern development tools and techniques, with a focus on systems engineering best practices.
The work environment is secure, with a focus on high-integrity engineering and national defence capability.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (2/3 days per week on site).

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment for this role is collaborative and secure, with a focus on high-integrity engineering and national defence capability. The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while maintaining a strong on-site presence.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Online application review and initial screening.
Technical phone or video screen, focusing on systems engineering fundamentals and defence sector knowledge.
On-site or virtual technical interview, including system design and architecture discussions, as well as problem-solving exercises.
Final assessment and decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight experience in systems engineering for defence or maritime projects, with a focus on requirements management and risk mitigation.
Showcase successful delivery of complex engineering projects, with a focus on high-quality artefacts and stakeholder communication.
Demonstrate understanding of system safety, risk mitigation, and change management best practices through relevant project documentation.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on systems engineering fundamentals, with a focus on defence sector applications.
Familiarise yourself with the V lifecycle development methodology and defence sector-specific requirements.
Prepare for system design and architecture discussions, as well as problem-solving exercises.

ATS Keywords:

Systems Engineering
DOORS
Requirements Management
V Lifecycle Development
Submarine Systems
Defence Architectures
Systems-of-Systems
System Safety
Risk Mitigation
Change Management
Independent Work
Delivery Management
Effective Communication
Defence Sector
Maritime Sector
Underwater Systems
Mission-Critical Systems
National Defence Capability
High-Integrity Engineering
Complex Defence Architectures
Systems Thinking

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role focuses on systems engineering fundamentals, defence sector knowledge, and problem-solving skills. The technical challenge preparation involves brushing up on systems engineering fundamentals and defence sector-specific requirements.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Systems Engineering Tools:

DOORS
Requirements management tools (e.g., Jama Connect, Helix ALM)
Systems engineering lifecycle tools (e.g., IBM DOORS Next Generation, Jama Software)

Defence Sector Tools:

Defence-specific requirements management tools (e.g., MoD DEFSTAN 00-56)
Defence architecture frameworks (e.g., MODAF, DoDAF)

Hardware & Software Development Tools:

Hardware and software development tools relevant to the specific project (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, CAD tools)

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role includes systems engineering tools, defence sector-specific tools, and hardware and software development tools relevant to the specific project.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

ALTEN values innovation, entrepreneurship, and continuous improvement in engineering and IT services.
The team values collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, and stakeholder communication.

Collaboration Style:

The team uses Agile methodologies for project management and collaboration.
Cross-functional teams work together to produce high-quality artefacts, from concepts to test readiness.
The team values knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: ALTEN's team culture is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and continuous improvement. The collaboration style is Agile, with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and stakeholder communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Working on complex multi-domain architectures for mission-critical defence systems.
Delivering high-quality artefacts across the entire systems engineering lifecycle.
Identifying and mitigating technical risks, dependencies, and system interfaces.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical skill development in underwater defence systems and complex defence architectures.
Leadership and management opportunities within the defence sector.
Career progression within ALTEN's global organisation, with opportunities to work on diverse defence projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant technical challenges and growth opportunities within the defence sector, with a focus on underwater defence systems and complex defence architectures.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Systems engineering fundamentals, with a focus on defence sector applications.
Defence sector-specific requirements and best practices.
System design and architecture discussions, as well as problem-solving exercises.

Company & Culture Questions:

ALTEN's company culture and values.
The team's collaboration style and cross-functional teamwork.
The defence sector and national defence capability.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Highlight experience in systems engineering for defence or maritime projects, with a focus on requirements management and risk mitigation.
Showcase successful delivery of complex engineering projects, with a focus on high-quality artefacts and stakeholder communication.
Demonstrate understanding of system safety, risk mitigation, and change management best practices through relevant project documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation for this role focuses on systems engineering fundamentals, defence sector-specific requirements, and company culture. The portfolio presentation strategy involves highlighting experience in systems engineering for defence or maritime projects, with a focus on requirements management and risk mitigation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Systems Engineer – Defence (Underwater Systems) position:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Tailor your resume to highlight relevant systems engineering experience, with a focus on defence or maritime projects.
Prepare for the technical phone or video screen, focusing on systems engineering fundamentals and defence sector knowledge.
Research ALTEN's company culture and values, as well as the defence sector and national defence capability.
Prepare for the on-site or virtual technical interview, including system design and architecture discussions, as well as problem-solving exercises.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and defence sector-specific assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organisation before making application decisions.

Senior Systems Engineer – Defence (Underwater Systems)