System Design Authority

Job Opportunity: System Design Authority (SDA)

Location: Dorset

Position Type: Full-Time

Employment Status: Permanent

Security Clearance: Candidates must be eligible and able to achieve UK Security Clearance (SC)

About the Client

Our client is a leading high-technology engineering innovator specializing in advanced defense, maritime, and underwater systems. They design and deliver cutting-edge solutions for complex, safety-critical environments and support these technologies through their full lifecycle.

They actively champion work-life balance, flexible working patterns, and continuous professional development. Applications are strongly encouraged from individuals seeking a domain transition, as full training and familiarization with their industry sector will be provided.

Role Purpose

As the System Design Authority (SDA), you will provide overall technical leadership and systems engineering oversight for complex, high-value technical solutions. You will lead the development of systems from initial concept through customer acceptance and retain technical ownership for the design as systems are deployed, supported, and modernized throughout their operational lifespan.

Key Responsibilities

• Pre-Sales & Strategy: Partner with Product Managers and external stakeholders to capture customer requirements, develop innovative solution concepts, and translate them into high-level architectures and technical specifications.
• Bids & Proposals: Collaborate with engineering leaders and Bid Managers to prepare winning technical proposals, tender responses, and quotations.
• Technical Governance & Delivery: Provide technical management across allocated projects, ensuring products and services meet performance, cost, and schedule targets in close alignment with Project Management and Manufacturing teams.
• Technology Roadmapping: Define and own long-term product development plans, driving research and development efforts, technology roadmaps, and standardization initiatives.
• Lifecycle Management: Maintain end-to-end technical authority over systems across all lifecycle phases-from concept and demonstration to acceptance and in-service support.

Key Skills & Experience

We are seeking a Systems Thinker who understands the broader operational context of customer requirements. While direct industry experience is beneficial, it is not essential-transferable skills from adjacent high-integrity engineering sectors are welcome.

Desirable Background / Technical Experience: Experience in one or more of the following domains is highly advantageous:

• Sonar, acoustic, seismic arrays, or RF systems
• Sensor data, signal processing, telemetry, and cabling
• Real-time processing, decision support systems, and associated infrastructure
• Industrial automation, control, or safety-critical systems
• Physical and system modeling, simulation, or data gathering (e.g., noise/vibration)
• Complex mechanical/cabling handling systems
• Familiarity with requirements management, systems design, testing, and acceptance processes