Systems Engineer Level 4

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. 

Grade: ATCE 4 

Salary Banding: £62,278.99 - £83,038.65

Closing Date: 21/1/2026

Job Purpose/Overview 

NATS operates a variety of systems to allow communication between Air Traffic Controllers, pilots, and other air navigation service Units.

These systems utilise analogue, digital, VOIP and RF technologies.

The Systems Engineering and Software Practice forms part of the Engineering Directorate and is responsible for taking high level system requirements and developing them into low level designs culminating with the delivery of them into operation.

Our run-phase responsibilities for the systems include ongoing assurance, regulatory compliance, fault investigations, maintenance of support documentation, sustainment, and evolution.

The Systems Engineer role reports to the Controller Comms Domain Lead. Day to day activities cover the complete life cycle of the assigned communications systems.

You will possess the knowledge and experience for working in a safety critical operational environment with a clear understanding of the role of Voice Communication Systems within Air Traffic Management.

You should be self-motivated, able to work alone but also a team-player, have good interpersonal skills, be willing to learn and able to work across a range of voice communication systems.

Other Duties Include 

• Requirements and Design Management: Support, and manage where appropriate, the development, validation, and management of requirements, interfaces, and system design proposals.
• Systems Engineering: Contribute to the engineering deliverables for project(s) and/or asset(s) ensuring these meet stakeholder needs which contribute to the delivery of work packages, leading these where appropriate.
• Team Support and Oversight: Provide guidance to junior engineers and contribute to team performance, ensuring resource allocation aligns with objectives. 
• Testing and Acceptance: Contribute to the planning, execution, documentation of system acceptance, and hardware/software testing including at supplier sites.
• Project Support: Act as a supporting resource for project queries, facilitating documentation changes where required.
• Technical Support: Provide advice to internal and external stakeholders for the assigned Domain/Capability.
• Review and Assurance Participation: Assist in Solution Reviews and ensure alignment with safety and qualification assurance plans.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on industry, technology & business advancements and contribute to assessing system impacts. 

Autonomy

• The role requires independent action to execute allocated tasks, ensure quality delivery, and manage resources effectively, all within the boundaries of NATS Business Management processes (BMS). Resource commitments align with approved work packages, with significant autonomy in problem-solving and individual task prioritisation to meet agreed objectives.

Job Scope

• Co-ordination and Collaboration: Work with Design Teams, Project Engineering Managers, Project Managers, and customers to clarify technical performance, requirements, timescales, and work plans for delivering project work packages and asset management tasks.
• Requirements and Design: Elicit / analyse / review technical requirements and documentation to determine optimal solutions for the assigned Domain / Capability, ensuring alignment with project or asset objectives.
• Planning and Leadership: Contribute to planning and executing tasks, typically over 6–12 months, supporting the team to deliver outputs in line with NATS Business Management Processes.
• Technical Expertise: Provide technical input throughout project phases, providing efficient resolution of issues to stakeholders.
• Deliverables: Assist in production of key outputs as required by the System Engineering roles undertaken, including: System Architecture Documentation, Work Packages plans, Design & Requirement reports/specification, risk assessments and associated safety documentation, etc.

Essential Skills and Experience

• The post holder is expected to hold, as a minimum, a Higher National Certificate in an Engineering or Information Technology related discipline, and relevant experience
• Job holders not holding the expected qualification but who have undertaken structured technical training (e.g. apprenticeship recognised by a professional body) with recognised qualification ideally to at least HNC equivalent level will also be considered.
• Experience in systems engineering, supporting technical teams, and working within safety-critical or real-time environments.
• Good understanding of technical concepts within the Domain/Capability, with experience in a technology delivery environment, and familiarity with relevant national and international technical standards.
• Strong problem-solving ability, understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle, effective communication skills, and the capability to mentor junior engineers. 

Additional Vacancy Information