Systems Engineer (Bids)
Location: 3 days onsite per week in Brighton
Duration: Initial 6 months
Rate: Flexible - Outside IR35
We are seeking a Systems Engineer contractor with strong experience supporting defence bids and proposals. This role is focused on the front-end bid phase of programmes and is not a traditional delivery Systems Engineering position.
You will work within a technically led organisation, supporting the development of competitive, compliant defence bids by coordinating technical inputs and shaping system-level responses to formal RFPs.
The Role
As a bid-focused Systems Engineer, you will:
* Support the end-to-end defence bid lifecycle, from RFP release through to submission
* Analyse customer requirements and develop system-level technical responses
* Coordinate and consolidate inputs from engineering SMEs across the business
* Ensure bid responses are technically coherent, compliant, and traceable
* Support bid gate reviews, technical governance, and internal approval processes
* Translate complex system concepts into clear, structured proposal content
* Work closely with commercial teams while maintaining a technical Systems Engineering perspective
Skills & Experience
Background as a Systems Engineer within defence or a highly regulated environment
Demonstrable experience supporting bids, proposals, or tender responses
Strong understanding of systems engineering principles applied at bid stage (requirements, architectures, trade-offs)
Commercial awareness (cost, risk, schedule impacts) without being commercially led
Comfortable engaging with senior engineers, bid managers, and stakeholders
Experience working to formal defence bid processes and governance frameworks
This role is ideal for a Systems Engineer who specialises in bid and proposal work, rather than programme delivery or design assurance.
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