Principal Mission Systems Integration Engineer

Description:

As thePrincipal Mission 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 thatmission systems, includingCommand, 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 asautonomous systems,digital systems, and understanding of potential and current applications ofartificial 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 ofmission systems (includingC5I, effectors,sensors,navigation systems, andcombat 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 ofautonomous systems,digital systems, and emerging technologies likeartificial intelligence (AI), ensuring they work seamlessly within the overall ship systems architecture.
Ensure that mission systems adhere toproduct security requirements, applying cybersecurity requirements to safeguard mission systems from potential security threats.
Work closely withmission system suppliers,ship design teams, andstakeholdersto ensure the successful integration and optimization of mission systems within the overall ship design.
Lead the preparation ofintegration plans, defining processes and requirements to ensure successful mission systems integration and performance validation.
Developinterface specificationsandintegration requirementsfor mission systems, ensuring they are aligned with the overall ship systems design and mission capabilities.
Define thestrategy for testing and validationof 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 theoptimizationandcontinuous improvementof 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 onmission systems architecture, ensuring all systems work in harmony and meet operational requirements.
Stay updated on thedeveloping world of artificial intelligence (AI)and its potential impact on mission systems, ensuring the integration of intelligent, adaptive technologies into mission operations.
Ensure thatproduct security requirementsare specified appropriately.
Define the requirements forconfiguration managementof 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 meetsafety standardsand comply with relevantmilitary 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.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience:

A degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (Masters or equivalent is desirable), alternative experience will be considered.
Significant experience in the specification and integration requirements ofmission systemsfor naval platforms, with a strong understanding of weapon systems, sensors,navigation systems, communications, and mission systems available in the market.
Operational experience would be a significant benefit for this role to ensure ship designs are optimised for operational effectiveness, minimising or eliminating crew.
Ability to communicate with senior Navy stakeholders.
Proven expertise inmission systems integration, including the ability to specify requirements for successful physical and functional integration achieving safe and operable solutions.
Strong knowledge ofmission systems architectureand how to integrate disparate systems into a cohesive and functional whole.
Experience withautonomous systems,digital systems, and an awareness ofartificial intelligence (AI) developments and their impact on modern mission systems would be of significant benefit for this role
Product security knowledge, ideally with experience applying cybersecurity best practices to mission systems to prevent, detect, and respond to security vulnerabilities.
An understanding ofsystems engineering processesand how they apply to mission systems integration, to ensure successful outcomes.
Understanding ofinterface specifications,system testing, andvalidation proceduresfor mission systems.
Familiarity withmilitary and regulatory standardsapplicable to mission systems on naval and commercial ship designs.
Strong project management skills, with experience delivering projects on time, within budget, and to the required technical standards.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, manage relationships with stakeholders, and provide leadership in complex programmes.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to address complex technical challenges in mission systems integration.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, while maintaining high standards of quality.
Leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to guide and mentor teams of engineers in the integration of complex systems.