Combat System Engineer

QinetiQ · Portsmouth, United Kingdom · On site · September 23, 2026

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Posted September 23, 2026 · Read from QinetiQ
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Package: £49,275 - £54,750 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20655

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 Combat System Engineer at our Portsmouth site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Combat System Engineer, you will be part of a team that delivers the necessary integration, test, evaluation, and acceptance activities across all phases of the equipment lifecycle to support the development and delivery of operational effective Combat System capability.

Day-to-day, you’ll operate within a team of engineers to deliver a capability that allows defect resolution, design support, integration, test and evaluation, acceptance and interoperability activities delivering collaboratively with partners.

Your responsibilities will include:

Supporting Senior CSEs and Technical Leads across a range of Combat System technical activities

Collaborating with engineering teams, customers, stakeholders and suppliers to support project objectives

Producing test plans, conducting trial activities and completing post-trial analysis

Developing technical documentation and supporting evidence for safe system integration

Delivering technical work, providing progress updates and escalating significant issues to senior staff

Supporting sea trials on Royal Navy ships, including potential overseas activities, while providing guidance to Associate CSEs where required

Essential experience of the Combat System Engineer:

Previous experience working within an engineering environment, with previous relevant experience

Demonstrable experience of maritime combat systems or associated technologies

Previous experience in Test & Evaluation, systems integration or related engineering activities

Essential qualifications for the Combat System Engineer:

Previous experience or qualifications in Engineering, Physics or a similar technical discipline, ideally at Honours Degree level or HNC/D with relevant experience

Working towards or holding IEng status, or an equivalent professional engineering qualification, 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 Portsmouth site with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week.

PTP

Portsmouth Technology Park (PTP) is one of QinetiQ’s key facilities, focusing on advanced technology development and engineering services. It is dedicated to research and development, ensuring that complex systems are designed, integrated, and tested effectively to meet operational requirements. The facility utilises sophisticated modelling and simulation techniques to analyse and predict performance.

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

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

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.

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)

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Employer
QinetiQ
Location
Portsmouth, United Kingdom · On site