Combat Systems Architect – Exports

Job Title: Combat Systems Architect – Export Programmes

Location: Broad Oak, Dorchester, Bristol, Portsmouth , hybrid – 3 days on site 2 working from home

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Up to £87,200 dependent on skills and experience + 10% incentive bonus

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

What you’ll be doing:

As a Combat Systems Architect for our export programmes, you will lead the development and integration of advanced combat system solutions for our international naval platform programmes. You will be working across the full system lifecycle, defining combat system architectures, developing technical solutions, managing system interfaces, and supporting the delivery of complex export naval programmes. You will act as the technical authority for combat system architecture activities, ensuring that operational requirements are translated into coherent, cost-effective, and deliverable system designs. The Combat Systems Architect shall help shape the next generation of naval capability and work directly with international customers, platform designers, combat system suppliers, and shipbuilders.

Core duties:

• Lead the development and integration of advanced combat system solutions for international naval platform programmes. Working across the full system lifecycle, you will define combat system architectures, develop technical solutions, manage system interfaces, and support the delivery of complex export naval vessel programmes.
• You will act as the technical authority for combat system architecture activities, ensuring that operational requirements are translated into coherent, cost-effective, and deliverable system designs.
• Technical lead for shaping the next generation of naval capabilities for our international programmes working directly with international customers, platform designers, combat system suppliers, and shipbuilders.
• Leading engineering resources to ensure tasks associated to bids, campaign and contracted work are achieved. The role will co-ordinate across matrix of multi-disciplined product and engineering teams to ensure technical information and artefacts are delivered in accordance with schedules.
• Develop system architectures for naval platforms, combat systems, mission systems, and support solutions.

Essential skills:

• Excellent Engineering awareness across the primary engineering disciplines of Software, Systems, Hardware (IT), Safety and Security.
• Able to develop innovative solutions to complex issues in a wider Business context
• Degree qualified or equivalent experience, likely to be in a technology, engineering, science, or IT related discipline
• Significant experience in naval combat systems engineering and architecture

The Combat Systems International Export Campaign Team:

The Combat Systems International Export Campaign Team works to secure strategically important international defence opportunities by developing compliant, competitive, and deliverable solutions. Collaborating across business development, engineering, commercial, finance, legal, supply chain and programme teams, the team supports customer engagement, solution development, bid activities, and risk management. Through close collaboration with customers and stakeholders, the team helps drive contract awards, business growth, market expansion, and the development of future international opportunities.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 25th Novemberr 2026,

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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