Full-Time

Principal Systems Engineer

Posted on 5/12/2026

Ultra

Ultra

1,001-5,000 employees

Delivers defense technology for rapid decisions

No salary listed

Maidenhead, UK

In Person

UK Citizenship Required

Category
Engineering Management (1)
Requirements
  • Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or have suitable Defence/Aerospace industry experience.
  • Significant experience and a full understanding of Systems Engineering, the V lifecycle, various development models and associated processes.
  • Significant experience of developing high quality requirements and establishing a fully compliant systems design.
  • Demonstrable experience in implementing the full Systems Engineering lifecycle as per the applicable ISO/IEEE/IEC standards
  • Technical and Line management experience of a team of systems engineers
  • Experience in writing high quality technical documentation and the formal technical review of such material.
  • Substantial knowledge of System Engineering practices, methodologies, processes, techniques and technology trends.
  • Experience of DOORS, UML, Enterprise Architect and SysML.
  • Previous experience of hands-on development of either hardware, software or firmware development, particularly in an embedded environment.
Responsibilities
  • Represents the Systems discipline as a senior member/leads SE for the totality of the Systems assigned work packages and tasking to deliver obligations and commitments on time and budget.
  • Supports the Engineering Project Lead (EPL) in delivering the engineering obligations of a project, to the agreed plans, budget and schedule. Accepts and delivers delegates leadership responsibilities applicable to the Systems assigned work packages and assurance tasks.
  • Is responsible for all aspects of the development of technical solutions to large and complex engineering problems, following Systems Engineering processes, to ensure customer requirements are satisfied.
  • Develop Systems Engineering artefacts, as required, across the product development lifecycle, to result in a positive project outcome.
  • Responsible for the contributing towards the design, development and delivery of the Systems Engineering artefacts for one or more projects to ensure high quality deliverables.
  • Provide technical direction and exert technical influence across numerous project work packages, or projects, such that the optimal approach, architecture, design, and implementation are selected.
  • Work closely with the system, hardware, firmware and software architects to ensure consistency, design for modularity and re-use, and technical excellence.
  • Plan, co-ordinate and present at internal and external design reviews, to senior management and customers, to ensure a successful event.
  • Lead, manages and reports on defined aspects of the project to achieve optimal balance between requirements, schedule and cost.
  • Manage customers and external suppliers to ensure compliance with agreed processes and achievement of project objectives.
  • Ensure and review technical proposals, and provide accurate estimates for the associated effort, costs and risks, for bids and proposals, leading to contract awards.
  • Work closely with other discipline lead/s, project management and engineering project leads to create proposals that drive down project costs and increase margin.
  • Estimate time and effort required for systems activities and deliver to these time and effort estimates to ensure cost and schedule adherence.
  • Reviews and signs off significant technical documents; frequently supports chairs in technical reviews for significant deliverables.
  • Explain technically complex concepts clearly to less technical/involved parties.
  • Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual to ensure compliance with Government regulations.
  • Actively supports and offers value add improvements to the Systems discipline to grow the overall capability as a whole.
  • As required supports recruitment, early careers development and STEM engagement.
  • Leads others, in Systems and outside, to develop greater awareness and implementation of a systems approach and practices.
  • Develop to achieve a specific Subject Matter Expertise, recognised as the company expert, in a specific subject matter, such as a specific practice, tools, product type or technical area.
  • Accepts Line Management duties, proactively leading and coaching reports, aid the creation of development plans and manages their execution, whilst measuring and supporting continuous improvement in others.
Desired Qualifications
  • INCOSE recognition ASEP or CSEP
  • Experience working as a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) and developing new areas of expertise as and when required.
  • NCSC security processes and familiar with deliver of associated security artefacts.

Ultra Group provides advanced defense and security technology solutions, partnering with governments and defense agencies to address mission-critical challenges. Its products collect and deliver the right data to the right people at the right time, helping decision-makers act quickly in high-stakes situations. The company builds and deploys tailored systems that integrate data, analytics, and communications to support rapid, informed decisions, especially against near-peer threats and other technologically advanced adversaries. Unlike competitors, Ultra Group emphasizes ethical, responsible, and sustainable practices and relies on long-term government contracts to deliver customized, mission-focused solutions. Its ultimate goal is to make the world safer by using technology to improve decision speed and accuracy in defense and security operations.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

2018

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Maritime reconnaissance market grows at 5.5% CAGR, expanding Ultra's sensor and radar opportunities.
  • UK government mandates Ultra's UK headquarters retention and increased R&D post-2022 acquisition.
  • Cobham acquisition in early 2022 enhances C4ISR/EW capabilities with added resources.

What critics are saying

  • UK MoD terminates contracts due to Ultra Electronics data breach exposing defense IP.
  • Airbus acquires Ultra Cyber Ltd., fragmenting cyber portfolio against L3Harris.
  • L3Harris captures 20% AUKUS maritime contracts, squeezing Ultra from sensor market.

What makes Ultra unique

  • Ultra I&C delivers AI-enabled resilient tactical communications and encryption for multidomain battlespace.
  • Ultra Maritime leads globally in torpedo technologies and modular USV towed array solutions.
  • Ultra powers real-time decision-making with secure data across air, land, sea, and cyber domains.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

Paid Vacation

Professional Development Budget

Mental Health Support

Company News

Turke & Strauss LLP
Mar 19th, 2024
Ultra Electronics Data Breach Investigation

Recently, Ultra Electronics discovered that it had experienced a data breach in which sensitive personal information in its systems may have been accessed and acquired.

Executive Mosaic
Oct 10th, 2023
Ultra I&C Appoints Dawn Ohlson as VP Engineering for Ultra Cyber

Ultra I&C appoints Dawn Ohlson as VP Engineering for Ultra Cyber.

Military Embedded Systems
Sep 14th, 2023
Secure encryption, reduced SWaP in demand from DSEi attendees

To enable such trusted mobility Ultra is also getting close to releasing a new product called MAXAM, that is a rebrand of their existing BID\2510\11.

GovCon Wire
Aug 7th, 2023
Bradford Powell appointed C2I president at Ultra intelligence & communications; Jon Rucker quoted

Bradford Powell, a defense industry veteran, has joined Ultra’s intelligence and communications business as president of the command, control and intelligence segment.

GovCon Wire
Jul 21st, 2023
Clif Basnight joins Ultra I&C as strategic technologies VP

Clif Basnight, a 17-year U.S. Army veteran and former vice president at CACI International (NYSE: CACI), has joined Ultra Intelligence & Communications as VP of strategic technologies.