Hybrid Senior Systems Engineer – V&V and Trials – Defence

at Positiv Cohort Ltd

• Job title: Senior Systems Engineer – V&V and Trials – Defence
• Job type: Contract
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: No Education Requirement
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Bristol, United Kingdom

About the role

• Senior Systems Engineer leading requirements-based testing and trials for complex defence systems in Bristol. Coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring compliance with testing objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning of **trials and test phases** for complex systems, covering **integration, verification, qualification, training, maintenance, and in-service support**.
• Coordinate **multidisciplinary teams** (IVVQ, maritime ops, contractors/suppliers, pilots/crew, training, maintenance) to align **resources, schedules, and milestones**.
• Develop **test strategies, integrated schedules, readiness checklists, and comms plans** for lab and field execution.
• **Define and decompose system/subsystem requirements**; ensure end-to-end **traceability** from capture to test execution and reporting.
• Utilise **DOORS** (or equivalent) for requirements management; manage configuration baselines and changes using **PVCS** (or equivalent).
• Author **Test Plans**, **V&V Plans**, **Statements of Work (SoW)**, **Test Readiness Reviews (TRR)**, and **Acceptance Criteria** for hardware and software.
• Design, commission, and manage **test rigs** for **avionics, fuel systems, and mission systems**.
• Lead **sea trials and platform tests** (maritime and aerospace) including **integration, fault isolation, and corrective actions**.
• Own **V&V campaigns** from strategy through execution, analysis, and reporting.
• Define and execute **regression test suites** to assure compliance through iterative updates.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a **Systems/IVVQ/Test Engineer** in the **Defence or Aerospace** sector delivering complex platforms or subsystems.
• Strong background in **requirements engineering** and **traceability** (e.g., **DOORS**), and configuration control (e.g., **PVCS** or similar).
• Hands-on expertise with **lab/rig testing** and **field/sea trials**; confident with **fault-finding** and **root-cause analysis** on platform.
• Demonstrated knowledge of **avionics/mission systems** and **interfaces**: **ARINC 429, MIL‑STD‑1553, AFDX**, analogue/discrete I/O.
• Ability to **author test strategies, plans, procedures, scripts, and reports**; strong documentation and compliance mindset.
• Experience managing **V&V campaigns**, **regression testing**, and preparing **certification evidence**.
• Familiarity with **environmental/qualification** testing principles and evidence generation.
• Excellent stakeholder management across **operators, crew, suppliers, and customers**; able to lead **multidisciplinary teams**.
• Eligible for/holding **UK Security Clearance** (SC/DV).