Back to jobs
BAE Systems
Assistant Systems Design Authority
Portsmouth Hybrid 10+ yrs exp Defense and Space Manufacturing 56,157 employees
Systems DesignSoftware SystemsSoftware Product DevelopmentRequirements ManagementTechnical Leadership
Requirements
Candidates need extensive experience with software systems and system design in complex engineering environments, including leading software product development and understanding regulatory requirements and liabilities. A STEM-related HND, degree, or equivalent experience is required, along with Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional registration.
Job Description
Job Title: Assistant Systems Design Authority
Location: New Malden, hybrid- 4 days per week on site
We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role
Salary: Up to £68,500 depending on skills and experience
Who We Are
Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.
From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.
What You’ll Be Doing
Join a team delivering complex Combat command systems, where you’ll support the definition, design and development of technical solutions across a range of platforms. Working under the guidance of the System Design Authority, you’ll help ensure software and systems designs meet technical, safety, quality and regulatory requirements while balancing programme, budget and future product needs.
Core Duties
Join a highly collaborative engineering team delivering the Submarine Command System (SMCS), the command system used across the UK Royal Navy submarine fleet. Working alongside a blend of experienced senior engineers and empowered junior talent, you’ll be part of a supportive, office-based team that values knowledge sharing, technical excellence and professional development. With multiple concurrent development and support programmes, you’ll have the opportunity to work on complex, real-time software and systems challenges that directly contribute to the UK’s defence capability, offering a unique combination of technical depth, responsibility and meaningful impact.
Why BAE Systems?
Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.
A Place Where Everyone Can Thrive
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.
Closing Date:2nd November 2026, interviews for this role will take place w/c 9th November
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
#combatsystems
Location: New Malden, hybrid- 4 days per week on site
We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role
Salary: Up to £68,500 depending on skills and experience
Who We Are
Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.
From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.
What You’ll Be Doing
Join a team delivering complex Combat command systems, where you’ll support the definition, design and development of technical solutions across a range of platforms. Working under the guidance of the System Design Authority, you’ll help ensure software and systems designs meet technical, safety, quality and regulatory requirements while balancing programme, budget and future product needs.
Core Duties
- Liaise with Submarine Command System (SMCS) Project Managers, Engineering Managers, Requirements Manager, Software Manager and Hardware manager or their representatives on all technical matters relating to SMCS Integrated Project Team product designs.
- Provide technical support to the hardware and software managers and team members.
- Respond to customer design queries and investigate defect reports under direction of the Support Manager or Project Manager.
- Produce, review and maintain the System Design documentation.
- Extensive experience working with software systems and system design within complex engineering environments.
- Experience leading development and enhancing a software product based on business requirements
- Exposure to regulatory and statutory requirements of Software products and understands potential liabilities
- Qualified to HND/degree level or equivalent experience in a STEM related discipline. Applicants should be a Chartered Engineer or hold another equivalent professional registration with a relevant institution
Join a highly collaborative engineering team delivering the Submarine Command System (SMCS), the command system used across the UK Royal Navy submarine fleet. Working alongside a blend of experienced senior engineers and empowered junior talent, you’ll be part of a supportive, office-based team that values knowledge sharing, technical excellence and professional development. With multiple concurrent development and support programmes, you’ll have the opportunity to work on complex, real-time software and systems challenges that directly contribute to the UK’s defence capability, offering a unique combination of technical depth, responsibility and meaningful impact.
Why BAE Systems?
Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.
A Place Where Everyone Can Thrive
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.
Closing Date:2nd November 2026, interviews for this role will take place w/c 9th November
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
#combatsystems
Education
Associate DegreeBachelor DegreeProfessional Certificate
Skills
Systems DesignSoftware SystemsSoftware Product DevelopmentRequirements ManagementTechnical LeadershipHardware And Software SupportDesign DocumentationDefect InvestigationCustomer Design SupportRegulatory ComplianceSafety And Quality AssuranceComplex Engineering
About BAE Systems
At BAE Systems, we help our customers to stay a step ahead when protecting people and national security, critical infrastructure and vital information. We provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions and employ a skilled workforce of 107,000 people in more than 40 countries. From state of the art cyber threat detection to flight control systems that enable pilots to make better decisions, we never stop innovating to ensure that our customers maintain their advantage. This is a long-term commitment involving significant investments in skills. We also work closely with local partners to support economic development through the transfer of knowledge, skills and technology.
View company profile →