CMS2 is seeking an experienced Systems Engineering Manager to lead and develop a team of engineers delivering complex, mission-critical systems within a specialist area of maritime defence engineering.
With over 60 years of expertise in atmosphere management and life support systems for submarines and other critical naval applications, CMS2 operates in a unique and highly specialised engineering environment.
As a senior engineering leader, you will shape technical solutions, develop engineering capability and drive the successful delivery of complex programmes across the full systems engineering life cycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through to integration, verification, validation and in-service support.
- Oversee requirements management, ensuring requirements are captured, analysed, allocated and maintained with full traceability throughout the lifecycle.
- Lead system architecture and design activities, ensuring solutions meet customer, operational and programme requirements.
- Undertake and guide systems analysis activities, including trade studies, mathematical modelling, performance assessments and concept development.
- Perform and lead root cause investigations, reliability assessments and failure mode analysis to improve system performance, robustness and operational effectiveness.
- Ensure alignment between engineering outputs, customer requirements and project deliverables.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of Systems Engineers, promoting technical excellence and professional growth.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance across programmes, supporting robust engineering decision-making.
- Promote knowledge sharing and the adoption of Systems Engineering best practice across the engineering function.
- Drive continuous improvement of engineering tools, processes and methodologies, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Verification, Validation & Technical Assurance
- Define and oversee verification and validation strategies, including the development of test plans, specifications and execution activities.
- Lead technical reviews, design reviews, governance and technical assurance activities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support safety assessments, risk reviews and compliance activities where required.
- Produce and review high-quality technical documentation, including system descriptions, models, specifications and other engineering artefacts.
- Act as the key technical interface between customers, suppliers, project teams and engineering functions, ensuring clear communication and effective stakeholder engagement.
- Analyse customer requirements and specifications, translating them into structured and actionable engineering requirements.
- Collaborate closely with Project Managers to support programme planning, work package definition and delivery estimates.
- Support business development and bid activities through technical input, compliance assessments and solution development.
Risk, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Identify, manage and mitigate technical risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure compliance with relevant company, industry and regulatory standards.
- Evaluate and implement new technologies, tools and methodologies to improve engineering capability and efficiency.
- Drive engineering effectiveness and delivery performance improvements through structured continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintain professional knowledge and technical expertise through continuous professional development.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Degree, HND, or significant proven experience in an engineering discipline.
- Professional engineering recognition (Chartered Engineer status or working towards, or equivalent experience).
- Significant systems engineering experience in complex environments.
- Experience leading systems engineering across the full lifecycle.
- Strong understanding of requirements, architecture, integration, verification and validation.
- Experience managing technical risk and governance.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience leading, mentoring or developing engineers.
- Experience within the defence sector is highly desirable.
- Applications are also welcomed from candidates with systems engineering experience in maritime, aerospace, nuclear, rail, space, automotive or other highly regulated, safety critical industries.
Preferred Experience
- Understanding of systems engineering disciplines common to defence and mission critical programmes.
- Knowledge of relevant engineering standards and frameworks.
- Professional registration or membership of a recognised engineering institution.
- Experience designing solutions to meet military requirements.
- Experience of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
- Experience using requirements management software and tools.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 9000 or similar Quality Management Systems.
- Experience within a Lean Manufacturing environment.
Other Requirements
Candidates must have an existing right to live and work in the UK.
Security Clearance
- Candidates must hold Security Check (SC) clearance or be eligible to obtain it.
- To obtain SC clearance, candidates will normally need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years.
- Due to the nature of our work, successful candidates must be able to satisfy UK security vetting requirements.