Principal Systems Architect & Technical Lead
Summary
Principal-level systems architect at Greenjets (Milton Keynes) providing technical direction for propulsion and autonomous aviation/defence systems: owning system architecture, requirements and interfaces, leading V&V strategy, and managing Systems Compliance & Verification Engineers across propulsion, avionics, software and mission systems.
About Greenjets
Greenjets develops high-performance propulsion and autonomous systems for aviation and defence. From concept and prototyping through to integration, flight testing and production, we turn ambitious engineering into hardware that delivers.
We move fast, challenge assumptions and take ownership. We’re looking for people who combine technical depth with the practical judgement to get things built, tested and into service.
About the role
Complex systems need a clear technical direction. You’ll provide it.
As Principal Systems Architect & Technical Lead, you’ll shape how our systems fit together, translate customer needs into clear engineering requirements and define how we prove the finished product works.
You’ll lead a team of Systems Compliance & Verification Engineers, working across propulsion, air vehicles, avionics, software and mission systems. From early architecture decisions through to test and customer acceptance, you’ll keep the engineering coherent as products and programmes evolve.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can make sound technical decisions, challenge weak assumptions and bring rigour without slowing delivery.
What you’ll do
Own system architectures, requirements and interfaces across multidisciplinary development programmes.
Turn customer, contractual and standards requirements into practical engineering and verification plans.
Lead verification and validation strategy, defining acceptance criteria and the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance.
Guide and develop the systems team, setting priorities and reviewing technical outputs.
Resolve cross-system issues and assess the impact of design and requirements changes.
Lead technical reviews and represent Greenjets with customers, suppliers and assurance stakeholders.
Build proportionate systems engineering processes that support rapid development and reliable delivery.
What you’ll bring
Substantial systems engineering experience in aerospace, defence or another safety- or mission-critical environment.
Experience leading system architecture, requirements and verification activities on complex engineering programmes.
Strong judgement across interfaces, technical trade-offs, change control and acceptance evidence.
The ability to turn complex requirements into clear decisions and achievable plans.
A practical leadership style, with the confidence to challenge, decide and take accountability.
A relevant degree, apprenticeship or equivalent engineering experience.
Experience with UK MOD programmes, unmanned aircraft, MBSE or requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama or Polarion would be valuable.
Why Greenjets?
You’ll have real influence over the architecture, engineering approach and delivery of evolving products. You’ll work close to the hardware and the people building it, with the scope to shape both our systems and our engineering capability.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and meet the security clearance and export-control requirements of the programmes they support. Travel to customer, supplier and test locations may be required.