Systems Engineer (Full Lifecycle / SME Environment)

Location: Maidenhead (fully onsite) Duration: 6 month contract Outside IR35 Role details: Our client is looking for a Full-Lifecycle Systems Engineer to support their teams on advanced cryptographic and key‑management solutions that enable the secure exchange of critical information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic levels. You will work closely with multi‑disciplinary teams, often acting as the single point of Systems Engineering accountability on a project, applying a practical approach aligned to project size, risk, and maturity. The role requires confidence in making independent technical judgements, shaping the approach rather than simply following established frameworks. The ideal candidate will have a background in smaller organisations or SME-style project teams. Key Responsibilities: Own and deliver full lifecycle Systems Engineering activities on smaller to medium projects, from bid support through development, test, acceptance, and transition to service. Take responsibility for Systems Engineering tasks, work products and artefacts, ensuring alignment with agreed scope, plans, and proportionate processes. Define, manage and assure system requirements, architectures and design evidence, ensuring solutions are complete, coherent and fit for purpose. Create and maintain Systems Engineering artefacts including strategies, plans, compliance matrices, procedures and reports, tailored appropriately to project scale and complexity. Drive integration, verification and validation (IV&V) activities, taking a hands‑on role in planning, execution and issue resolution. Lead cross‑disciplinary collaboration, working closely with hardware, software, cyber, test and project teams to deliver balanced, cost‑effective solutions. Support the design, development and use of test equipment, rigs or fixtures where required, applying a pragmatic lifecycle approach. Prepare for and lead engineering reviews, project gates and customer engagements; owning inputs, actions and follow‑up. Manage technical risk, safety and security considerations associated with Systems Engineering activities and facilities. Engage with in‑house and external test facilities or partners, including organising interoperability testing and collaboratively developing test solutions. Continuously improve Systems Engineering practices, tools and ways of working, with an emphasis on efficiency and suitability for smaller project environments. Ensure information security and compliance with Government and regulatory requirements. Candidate Profile: This role is suited to someone comfortable owning Systems Engineering activities end‑to‑end on smaller projects, rather than specialising in a single lifecycle phase. Proven experience delivering end‑to‑end Systems Engineering across the full lifecycle. Background in a smaller company, SME, or lean project environment, where breadth, ownership and adaptability are essential. Comfortable operating with limited structure or guidance, defining the right level of Systems Engineering rigor for the project. Strong communicator, able to work directly with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders. Pragmatic mindset with the ability to balance assurance, cost, schedule and technical risk. Seen as a trusted technical authority within a project team, but still hands‑on and delivery focused. Apply today via the link provided