Senior System Engineer

QinetiQ · Bristol, United Kingdom · On site · September 18, 2026

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Posted September 18, 2026 · Read from QinetiQ
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Package: £56,000 – £62,250 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20617

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Systems Engineer at our Bristol site (or any major UK QinetiQ location), where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

We're looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Mission Rehearsal and Test & Evaluation teams. This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex engineering programmes, contribute to the development of cutting-edge test and training systems, and collaborate with some of the UK's leading technical specialists.

If you enjoy solving challenging engineering problems, working across multiple technologies, and seeing your solutions progress from concept to deployment, we'd love to hear from you.

Day to day, collaborate with project managers, customers and multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop solutions that deliver real operational value. Working across the engineering lifecycle, you'll help define requirements, develop architectures, support integration and verification activities, and contribute to successful delivery into service.

This is a hands-on role that offers significant variety, technical challenge and opportunities for professional growth

Your responsibilities will include:

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you'll play a key role in the development and delivery of systems that support defence testing, evaluation and mission rehearsal activities. You'll work across a diverse range of technologies including:

Large-area surveillance and tracking systems

Precision instrumentation and measurement capabilities

Integrated command, control and communication systems

Customer and supplier platform integration

Advanced test, evaluation and mission rehearsal environments

Essential experience of the Senior Systems Engineer:

We're interested in hearing from engineers who have a strong technical foundation and are ready to take the next step in their career.

Experience working within systems engineering or a related technical discipline

An understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle and engineering governance processes

Experience contributing to the delivery of engineering projects from concept through to implementation

Knowledge of systems integration involving hardware, software, communications or infrastructure

Strong problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills

The ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams

Experience within defence, aerospace, transport, communications, critical national infrastructure or other complex engineering environments would be advantageous but is not essential.

Essential qualifications for the Senior Systems Engineer:

A degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Science, Mathematics or a related discipline is desirable.

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Bristol site (or any major UK QinetiQ location) with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

QinetiQ operates state-of-the-art facilities across the UK that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable QinetiQ to conduct a wide range of research, testing and development activities that support both military and civilian applications helping to advance technology and support national security.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our Recruitment Process:

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing internal_recruitment@qinetiq.com. One of our recruitment team will contact you.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance

Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days

Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance

Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more

We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

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Employer
QinetiQ
Location
Bristol, United Kingdom · On site