System Architect Opportunities

It’s an exciting time to be part of QinetiQ. We are always looking for great people to join us as we continue to grow into new markets around the world. We currently have many opportunities and would love to hear from candidates who are interested in joining us now or in the future.

If there is alignment between your skills and the opportunities currently available, we will be contact.  Should there not be anything suitable at present, with your permission, we will keep your CV on file for consideration as future roles become available.

QinetiQ is growing – and it’s a great time to be here. As we enter new markets around the world, we need talented System Architects to join us across the UK.

You’ll be part of a business that was named the Most Admired Aerospace & Defence Company in the Britain’s Most Admired Companies 2021 study. You’ll also be joining a diverse, inclusive employer that’s proud to provide a collaborative, open working environment. With our Adaptive approach, you’ll enjoy the work-life balance that suits you best, thanks to remote, hybrid and flexible working practices.

We currently have a number of System Architect opportunities across our sites in Farnborough, Bristol, Malvern, and many of our other sites. If you’re interested in joining us – now or in the future – we’d love to hear from you.

If your skills fit one of our opportunities, we’ll be in contact. If we don’t have a role that’s right for you at the moment, we’ll keep your CV on file for possible opportunities in the future.

 What do our System Architects do?

Systems architecting is the activity of developing, describing, evaluating, and applying systems architectures within systems engineering.

A system architecture describes the fundamental structure and properties of the system. Additionally it may include the principles behind that architecture and its application, and also any associated rationale. Architecture may be considered for business solutions, enterprises, services, capabilities, engineered systems, products, components, and software.

Our System Architects are key to ensuring we deliver all our work in a robust, consistent and cost effective way. Individuals devise systems architectures at enterprise, capability, system and/or engineering solution levels. Alongside their architecture development, they also devise associated system concepts (e.g. operational concepts, concepts of operation, system concepts) which can be applied and implemented.

The work often entails working in the problem and solution spaces, considering the feasibility of addressing the problem, and achieving a balance between problem and solution considerations.  Systems architecting may be employed within traditional systems lifecycles or ‘above’ them.

Our System Architects are able to devise system architectures that frame stakeholder concerns and meet system requirements, and to express this in a set of consistent views. They are the technical staff who undertake Architecture Definition, with several specialisms e.g. Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, information Architects.  Some Architects tend to specialise in activities such as Architecture Generation, Architecture Description, or Architecture Evaluation.

Work is extremely varied within QinetiQ, you could specialise in a particular domain or work across the business gaining a multitude of experience.

Opportunities for mid-career System Architects

If you’re a mid-career professional working in industry or the armed forces, you’ll be applying your expertise right from day one. Whatever your specialism or background, you can expect ongoing development to help you excel and advance. This includes expert training and mentoring, with increased emphasis on self-development and on-the-job training.

Opportunities for highly experienced System Architects

As a Senior or Principal System Architect, you can expect specialist training (which may include conference attendance and paper presentation, for example), and targeted mentoring to develop specific technical skills. If you have senior management potential, we’ll spot and nurture it. To progress to more senior roles, we encourage you to be an active member of an appropriate professional body,

Our Fellowship scheme recognises and develops professionals with high-level, specialist technical expertise.

Key points

• QinetiQ offers varied, rewarding and interesting careers across a range of locations in the UK and overseas.
• We explore multiple domains of application - Air, Space, Land, Maritime, ISTAR, Weapons and Cyber Systems Architecting throughout the life cycle - from concept through development and operation to disposal.
• We have practitioners at all levels up to and including internationally recognised individuals. Our blended approach to learning means you’ll have access to formal training, mentoring, assisted self-development and on the job training.
• Excel, and your potential will be spotted. Our continuing professional development covers all career stages and levels of seniority.
• With our Adaptive approach, you can work the way you want – flexibly, on-site, remotely or via hybrid working.

Why we’re different

Our people. Our employees make the critical difference to customers by providing unique answers which combine technical expertise, deep domain knowledge and rigorous independent thinking.

Our independence. QinetiQ is not a manufacturer, and we stand apart from the supply chain. It’s our rigorous independent thinking that helps our customers achieve their goals.

Our breadth of capability. Our customers face challenges that define the modern world. They know we are uniquely placed to understand these issues and work with them to ensure the success of their mission or reach their objectives.

Our relationships with customers. Our prized possession is trust. Customers around the world rely on the drive and dedication of our people to help them meet their goals – often in environments where there is no second chance for failure.

Our partnerships. We use partnerships and alliances to accelerate compelling business development strategies and sustainable earnings growth. By licensing our intellectual property we reduce implementation and sales risk, and speed up time-to-market by using third party sales channels.

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Why join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

You’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in an diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture here.  
Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of interesting defence-based projects with vast career progression across a global organisation in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits.  You’ll receive a highly competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of benefits that we offer include, adaptive and flexible working, generous holiday entitlements, Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance and much more. 

About QinetiQ

As a company of over 6,000 dedicated professionals, we are a world-centre of excellence in research and development and act as a catalyst for fast-track innovation, offering outstanding experimentation facilities, and technical, engineering and scientific expertise. QinetiQ is made up of dedicated experts in defence, aerospace, security and related markets, all working together to explore new ways of protecting what matters most. Being part of QinetiQ means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help to save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend. Come and find out how you can play a role.

Please note that many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting. Applicants that already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment, subject to approval. A number of roles are also subject to restrictions on access to information that mean factors such as nationality, previous nationalities held and the country in which you were born may have an effect on the roles that you can be employed in.