Principal Mission and Combat Systems Integration Engineer

As the Principal Mission and Combat Systems Integration Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the design specification, physical integration, and optimisation of mission systems across naval shipbuilding programmes. You will play a key role in ensuring that mission systems, including Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Cyber and Intelligence (C5I), effectors, sensors, navigation systems, and, where relevant, combat systems, are integrated into the ship design and with other ship systems to ensure cost effective compliance to requirements, standards and operational effectiveness. The successful candidate will need to have extensive experience in mission systems integration, technical leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. Operational experience would be of benefit for this role.

You will be involved in integrating both traditional mission systems (C5I including effectors, sensors navigation combat systems) as well as emerging technologies, such as autonomous systems, digital systems, and understanding of potential and current applications of artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, you will need product security knowledge to ensure that mission systems meet the required cybersecurity standards and protect against potential threats.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and complex shipbuilding programmes, undertaking cost / capability trade-offs, supplier engagement and specification, ensuring seamless integration of mission systems into the ship design. You will be instrumental in delivering solutions that meet operational requirements while ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the specification and integration of mission systems (including C5I, effectors, sensors, navigation systems, and combat systems) into ship designs, defining interface boundaries between systems and sub-systems and ensuring integration requirements with the ship and other ship systems are defined.
• Manage the specification and platform integration of autonomous systems, digital systems, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring they work seamlessly within the overall ship systems architecture.
• Ensure that mission systems adhere to product security requirements, applying cybersecurity requirements to safeguard mission systems from potential security threats.
• Work closely with mission system suppliers, ship design teams, and stakeholders to ensure the successful integration and optimization of mission systems within the overall ship design.
• Lead the preparation of integration plans, defining processes and requirements to ensure successful mission systems integration and performance validation.
• Develop interface specifications and integration requirements for mission systems, ensuring they are aligned with the overall ship systems design and mission capabilities.
• Define the strategy for testing and validation of mission systems, ensuring all systems meet operational performance standards and adhere to safety, regulatory, and security requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance, ensuring high standards of quality and performance across all activities.
• Develop strategies for the optimization and continuous improvement of mission systems integration, ensuring alignment with evolving mission needs, technological advancements, and security considerations.
• Collaborate with naval architects, systems engineers, and other disciplines to ensure the seamless integration of mission systems with all other ship systems.
• Provide subject matter expertise on mission systems architecture, ensuring all systems work in harmony and meet operational requirements.
• Stay updated on the developing world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on mission systems, ensuring the integration of intelligent, adaptive technologies into mission operations.
• Ensure that product security requirements are specified appropriately.
• Define the requirements for configuration management of mission systems, ensuring proper documentation and adherence to performance specifications.
• Manage risks associated with the integration of mission systems, identifying issues early in the design process and developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Ensure all specifications and proposed solutions meet safety standards and comply with relevant military and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the development of arrangements for topsides, mission systems compartment layouts, firing arcs etc ensuring operational effectiveness and safety. Contribute to development of the ships General Arrangement ensuring mission systems spatial requirements are captured and optimised for mission effectiveness.
• Develop strategies and define requirements to minimise or eliminate crew from future ship designs.
• Define requirements and support the integration of modular systems into the ship design.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance on mission systems integration processes, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.