What’s rarer than a good Systems Engineer?

A good Systems Engineer who actually understands ships.

Not just in theory. Not from a desk three steps removed from the real world. But somebody who understands what happens when complex equipment has to work properly in a maritime environment, around high RF, across moving parts, demanding standards, suppliers, customers, deadlines and the practical realities of getting something ship-ready.

That’s the person we’re looking for.

This is one of two key maritime hires tied to a newly won programme, but this is the bigger, broader, more technically involved of the two. It’s a role for someone who wants to sit across the whole lifecycle and genuinely own the technical effort.

You’ll refine system designs. Generate specifications. Support proposals. Work closely with software and mechanical teams. Speak with suppliers, customers and sister companies. Travel when needed. Spot risks early. Solve problems properly.

And through it all, you’ll be the person helping drive the technical direction of a shipboard defence product in a high RF environment.

This isn’t a line management role.

Nobody’s asking you to spend your life doing one-to-ones, performance reviews or holiday approvals.

But it is a leadership role in the way many engineers prefer: through technical credibility, influence, coordination and good judgement.

So if you’re the sort of engineer who likes bringing people together, making sense of complexity, and moving a product forward without needing a management title to prove your value, you’ll probably like this.

We’re open on background, to a point.

You might have started life in electronics. You might have come through mechanical engineering. You might have worked on naval platforms, shipbuilding, radar, rotating systems or defence products. The route in matters less than the outcome.

What does matter is that you’re genuinely systems-minded, hands-on in your thinking, and comfortable leading technical work in a practical product development environment.

Maritime experience is the big differentiator here.

If you’ve worked in naval, shipboard, shipbuilding or high RF maritime environments, you’ll already understand why this role is different. You’ll understand the constraints, the standards, the operating environment and the level of thinking needed to get things right.

That experience is hard to teach. Which is why it matters so much.

You’ll also need to be eligible for SC clearance and have a UK driving licence, because there will be travel between sites, suppliers and other stakeholders.

In return, there’s the chance to join a business working on genuinely interesting defence engineering, on a newly won programme, in a role with real scope and visibility.

It’s based in Sandwich, Kent, and relocation support is available, because realistically the right person may not already live on the doorstep.

There are some very good benefits too, including a 9-day fortnight, so every other Friday is yours. Alongside that, there’s a competitive salary, profit share, pension, private healthcare and the kind of broader package you’d expect from a serious engineering business.

So who tends to fit well here?

• You understand maritime systems.
You can write and shape specifications.
You can work across disciplines.
You’re comfortable around customers and suppliers.
And you’re at your best when the work is practical, complex and meaningful.
If that sounds like you, apply today.

And if your CV isn’t fully up to date, send what you have. A conversation is often the best place to start.

Everybody will receive a response.