Principal System Engineer

Principal Systems & Software Engineer – C4ISR Battlelab Lead

Location: Winnersh (Hybrid Working Model)

Position Type: Contract

Rate: £500 – £550 / Day

Clearance: Must hold or be eligible to obtain UK SC Security Clearance

About the Role

We are seeking a high-caliber, experienced Principal Systems & Software Engineer to act as a technical leader within our C4ISRBattlelab team.

In this dual-spectrum role, you will bridge the gap between strategic systems engineering and hands-on cloud-native software development. You will lead the design, configuration, and integration of advanced Command and Control (C2/C4ISR), communication, and networking solutions across air, land, and maritime domains.

The Battlelab environment provides an integrated set of C4I capabilities configured to replicate distributed, tactical deployment environments. You will be responsible for building systems from first principles, establishing Software Development Kit (SDK) environments, and tailoring capabilities to simulate mission scenarios that solve complex customer problems. This role utilizes Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) within an Agile framework, requiring a deep understanding of DevSecOps pipelines and data-centric military architectures.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Technology Leadership: Identify emerging technologies (AI, autonomy, cloud-native networking) to shape future technology roadmaps and drive innovation within the Battlelab.
• System Architecture & Design: Define Concepts of Employment (CONEMP) / Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and conduct Operational Analysis at a "system of systems" level.
• Battlelab Environment Adaptation: Support the installation, configuration, adaptation, and tailoring of distributed C4I capabilities to replicate tactical environments and address mission-critical needs.
• Data & API Governance: Implement API Management strategies, including data product creation, and configure API Gateways backed by zero-trust access control and authentication.
• Requirement & Bid Management: Capture and analyze customer needs to establish high-level architectures. Coordinate technical aspects of bids, including delivery planning, work breakdown structures, and innovative solutioning.
• Mentorship & Collaboration: Act as a technical mentor to software and systems engineers. Collaborate with Resource Management to assign tasks to qualified personnel and champion standard engineering processes.
• Project Oversight: Manage technical risks, ensure strict adherence to delivery plans throughout the lifecycle, and review existing prototype codebases to document their architecture and functionality.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• STEM Degree: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree (Master's or PhD preferred, or Chartered Engineer status) in a recognized Aerospace, Software, or STEM subject.
• Lifecycle Expertise: Extensive experience across the full engineering lifecycle, with a heavy focus on early-stage concept development, prototyping, and Agile frameworks.
• Domain Expertise: Deep operational understanding of Military Communication Systems, Heterogenous Networks, security functions, and the challenges of data-centric architectures within tactical environments.

Software Development & Environment Skills (Cloud Native & Simulation)

• Languages & Frameworks: Advanced proficiency in Python and C/C++ applied to networking, cloud infrastructure, and datalink simulation.
• Containerization & Microservices: Extensive experience designing and integrating microservices using Docker and Kubernetes.
• Web & Edge: Proven experience utilizing Web libraries and edge cloud architectures.
• DevSecOps & CI/CD: Hands-on experience configuring and using development/deployment toolchains including GitLab, Grafana, Coverity, and JFrog Artifactory.
• SDK Development: Proven track record of creating Software Development Kit (SDK) environments for cloud-native products, establishing stable frameworks for other developers to design against.

Data & Systems Engineering Skills

• Data Architectures: Deep familiarity with Data Mesh and Data Fabric approaches, distributed data layer deployments, and data product metadata standards.
• Big Data & NoSQL Stack: Practical experience implementing and configuring Apache Spark, Apache NiFi, Apache Atlas, MinIO, Solr, and other Non-SQL databases.
• Security & Gateways: Proven experience implementing API Gateways featuring Zero-Trust authentication and access control.
• Systems Modeling: Hands-on experience with system modeling using Cameo or Enterprise Architect.

Preferred & Desirable Skills

• Enterprise Platforms: Experience using Cloudera Data Platform products and environments, as well as Cloudflare or cloud networking (AWS/Azure).
• Legacy Integration: Proven ability to integrate modern data-centric systems with legacy, message-centric military systems.
• Standards & Frameworks: Familiarity with NATO data-centric standards (e.g., Data Centric Reference Architecture, Digital Backbone) and Open Architectures like MOSA, SOSA, or MDIS.
• Defense Procurement: Knowledge of UK MOD procurement processes, MAA RA1220, or MAA DAOS standards.
• Advanced Networking: Familiarity with SDWAN, routing/switching protocols (Cisco, Aruba, etc.).