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
• Referral Scheme: £1000
• Grade: GG12
• You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.
• We know there may be exceptionalindividual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.
• If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.
• PLEASE NOTE: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

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.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

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 applicantsmust as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicantsmust 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 are currently accepting speculative referrals for specific skillsets (roles based in the UK). Click here to find out more. All Privacy rights will be protected.

Make a speculative referral

If this advert states that this role is eligible for the UK referral scheme, but there is no link here to make a referral for this specific vacancy, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk who will be able to advise.