Senior Engineer - Systems - Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR)
Location: Wimborne
Contract: 12‑Month Maternity Cover
Start Date: June 2026
Industry: Aerospace / Defence
Clearance: Baseline Security Clearance required
Restrictions: Must be eligible to live and work in the UK and comply with ITAR restrictions
Overview
We are seeking a highly capable Senior Systems Engineer to join our aerospace client's Air‑to‑Air Refuelling (AAR) team in Wimborne on a 12‑month maternity cover contract. This position is ideal for an experienced engineer ready to step into a senior role, providing technical leadership, customer‑focused engineering support, and hands‑on delivery across a broad range of aerospace systems activities. In this role, you will act as the technical bridge between customers and multidisciplinary engineering teams, contributing to the full systems lifecycle while supporting the ongoing development of junior engineers and project personnel.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership
* Lead small to medium‑sized engineering projects, or major work packages on larger programmes.
* Drive delivery of proposals, new product introductions, upgrades, and modifications to in‑service products.
* Plan and manage engineering tasks, working closely with project management to meet milestones and deliverables.
Systems Engineering
* Contribute to all stages of the systems engineering lifecycle, including:
* Requirements capture and management.
* System design and development.
* Integration and verification.
* Qualification and certification.
* Ensure system integrity, traceability, and design compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
Technical Interface & Collaboration
* Act as the key technical interface with customers, understanding and translating technical requirements into deliverable engineering solutions.
* Work collaboratively with internal functions including airworthiness, safety, project management, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Risk Management
* Identify, assess, and manage technical risks and opportunities.
* Ensure robust mitigation plans are in place to support programme success.
Leadership & Support
* Support the development of apprentices and junior engineers.
* Contribute to engineering change activities and configuration control processes.
* Provide input to resourcing needs and technical planning activities.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Essential
* Degree in a relevant engineering discipline (or HNC/apprenticeship with equivalent experience).
* Minimum 5 years of engineering experience within aerospace, defence, or a similar safety‑critical environment.
* Strong understanding of engineering project lifecycles and systems engineering principles.
Desirable
* Experience in Air‑to‑Air Refuelling systems or aerospace hydraulics/mechanical systems.
* Previous approval/signatory responsibility on engineering documents.
* Familiarity with project scheduling tools and processes.
Skills & Attributes
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with customers and internal stakeholders.
* Strong problem‑solving mindset with a proactive approach to technical challenges.
* Proficiency in technical report writing, requirements management, and presenting engineering content at all levels.
* Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
Additional Requirements
* Must be eligible to work in the UK and comply with ITAR export control restrictions.
* Successful candidates will be required to undergo Baseline Security Clearance (BPSS) prior to starting.
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