Mission Systems Engineers

Mission Systems Engineers & Integrators (Junior to Principal)

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bristol, UK

Reporting To: Luke Rank

Compensation: GBP 30,000 - GBP 85,000 / year

Description

We're building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.

At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems and products that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high-pressure settings.

Headquartered in Bristol (UK), we combine modern engineering methods with cutting-edge commercial technology to create adaptable, mission-critical systems. We focus on solving the tough challenges that others overlook, ensuring our customers can operate effectively in an ever-changing world.

What's the Role?As Rowden continues to grow, we're looking for hands-on, delivery-driven Mission Systems Engineers and Integrators to join. You'll work across diverse capabilities and tech domains, playing a pivotal role in designing and delivering sophisticated, high-stakes systems. Here's a summary of the types of Engineers we're looking for, and what you could be working on:

Junior Engineers & Integrators

If you've got a couple years of experience and are keen for change, this could be your next step. At Rowden, junior engineers and integrators don't just sit on the side lines. They design system components from the ground up, try out bold ideas, and see projects through to deployment. Some days, you'll be cracking tough integration puzzles, whether that's connecting different subsystems or experimenting with cutting-edge tech like Uncrewed Systems. If you want to learn by doing and make your mark on projects that matter, we'd love to have you on the team.

Salary Range: ~GBP 30,000-GBP 40,000 dependent on skills and experience.

Mid-Level Engineers & Integrators

If you're a mid-level engineer or integrator, you're ready to deepen your impact and tackle broader technical challenges. At Rowden, you'll drive system integration efforts, refine architecture designs, and mentor junior colleagues while seeing projects through from concept to deployment. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams, solve complex technical issues, and help bridge the gap between innovative ideas and robust, real-world solutions. This is your opportunity to take ownership of major components, contribute fresh perspectives, and help shape the future of our mission-critical systems.

Salary Range: ~GBP 40,000-GBP 55,000 dependent on skills and experience.

Senior Engineers & Integrators

If you're an experienced systems engineer or integrator ready to lead and inspire, Rowden offers you the chance to shape the direction of our most complex projects. As a senior, you'll architect end-to-end solutions, oversee technical delivery, and provide strategic guidance across multiple programs. You'll mentor and develop the next generation of engineers while fostering collaboration with stakeholders at all levels. Your expertise will drive innovation, help navigate ambiguity, and ensure delivery of high-assurance systems that meet demanding requirements. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact, both on mission-critical capabilities and the growth of our engineering culture.

Salary Range: ~GBP 55,000-GBP 70,000 dependent on skills and experience.

Principal Engineers & Integrators

As a Principal at Rowden, you could be the technical lead for our largest and most ambitious programs, orchestrating solutions across both technical and programmatic boundaries, leading critical, high-risk areas of development & deployment or spearheading the technical direction of new opportunities alongside our sales team. You'll represent Rowden at the highest levels, leading conversations with our Delivery Partners and end users to ensure alignment with mission goals and stakeholder expectations. Principals drive the overall technical vision, oversee the integration of complex systems, and are instrumental in de-risking delivery through proactive problem-solving, technical decision-making, and relationship-building. You'll mentor and empower teams, set engineering standards, and champion continuous improvement, all while shaping the strategic direction of key initiatives. This role is ideal for leaders who thrive on big challenges, have a holistic view of systems, and want to make a direct impact on both customer outcomes and the Rowden engineering community.

Salary Range: ~GBP 70,000-GBP 85,000 dependent on skills and experience.

Key Skills & Experience

We're looking for engineers who thrive on hands-on systems design, rapid integration, and real-world experimentation. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned expert, we value broad engineering insight and a questioning, delivery-focused mindset above all. Key skills, shaped by your experience could include:

• Translating user needs and CONOPS into actionable system requirements
• Applying and adapting systems lifecycles across diverse problem spaces
• Designing, building, and deploying systems, seeing ideas through to operational reality
• Knowing when to use structured engineering approaches, and when to challenge them
• Making smart trade-offs and clearly justifying technical choices to stakeholders
• Reviewing technical work with a critical eye, surfacing key risks and decisions
• Ensuring every solution meets safety, security, and environmental standards
• Explaining complex ideas simply, both on paper and in person, to any audience
• Staying curious, optimistic, and hands-on, always pushing for better outcomes
• Proactively solving problems, not just raising them

Highly Desirable Skills and Experience:

We're as much about domain expertise as we are about diverse engineering skills. The below is what we believe will set the successful candidates apart, but we're also really interested if you think your skills or experience, whilst not matching the below, can provide a meaningful advantage to us and our Customers.

• Degree level qualification (or equivalent experience) in relevant STEM subject.
• Knowledge of Government engineering and procurement.
• Knowledge of Agile development lifecycles and model-based systems engineering approaches.

Working knowledge of any of the following:

• SysML, Enterprise Architect
• Tactical networked C4I systems
• Autonomous Platforms, Cloud platforms, Machine Learning, Safety & Security assurance.

What's In it for You?

At Rowden, we're looking for individuals who thrive working alongside exceptionally talented colleagues in a dynamic and ever-evolving environment. We value creative problem-solvers who are comfortable challenging conventions and navigating ambiguity. We foster a flat decision-making structure where everyone's voice is heard and rapid, conviction-driven decision making is the norm.

Rather than traditional management, you'll benefit from outstanding mentorship in a company with rapidly growing opportunity, learning directly from some of the best minds in the field. If you're energised by collaboration, eager to continuously learn, and excited to contribute in an environment where adaptability and resilience are essential, you'll fit right in here.

Making a real difference for our end users often means embracing periods of heightened activity, where our collective effort and focus are crucial to delivering game-changing capability to those who need it most. We are proud of the impact we make, but we're equally committed to ensuring our culture never becomes solely about work. At Rowden, we value purpose and balance: our drive to succeed is matched by our respect for each other's wellbeing, personal priorities, and the importance of enjoying the journey together.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are

We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.

Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.

Finally, if you feel that you don't meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we'd still love to hear from you

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