Lead Systems Engineer

Are you a detail-oriented Lead Systems Engineer passionate about autonomous and uncrewed systems like drones

About Us
At Archangel Autonomy we deploy AI and robotics to protect service personnel critical infrastructure and first responders in large remote areas. Our mission is to make machines smart enough to become competent teammates instead of just tools working alongside societys most exposed workers in remote and challenging locations to protect people infrastructure assets and planet at scale.

Were seeking a Lead Systems Engineer ready to make a real impact!
In this role youll report to the CTO and work with the tech team and Project Manager to drive the design and delivery of innovative UXV co-pilot systems. Youll define system requirements architecture and modelling letting us push the boundaries of autonomous systems.

This position plays a crucial role in delivering reliable game-changing solutions to end users. Each feature release brings us closer to transforming the future of autonomous technology. This is your opportunity to accelerate your career while shaping the next generation of intelligent systems.

What youll do:

Be the design authority for a new UAS product.
Build out system architecture and technical direction for this new product which draws from our existing products but requires complete system definition:

• Define system architecture CONOPS and top-level requirements
• Lead technology selection decisions and trade studies
• Establish and manage system performance budgets across subsystems
• Decide on system interfaces and integration strategies
• Serve as technical authority in customer and certification discussions
• Own the technical baseline that informs future product development

Build on and improve our systems engineering practice.
Create a new systems engineering process for our team to use by demonstrating it on the product described above.

• Develop a minimum viable systems engineering practice balancing rigour and speed
• Implement requirements management and interface control that teams adopt naturally because they see it working
• Pioneer AI-augmented workflows within Systems Engineering
• Help ensure design documentation is coherent consistent visible reviewed and verified in its implementation
• Build traceability frameworks connecting requirements design and verification
• Guide junior engineers in building systems engineering tools that integrate with developer workflows

To succeed in this role you must have:

• 5 years in systems engineering for complex systems with full product lifecycle exposure (from concept through to supported products in the field)
• Proven track record of taking design authority and making authoritative technical decisions on complex systems
• Experience shipping real products ideally with high assurance requirements (e.g. DO-178 DO-254 ISO 26262 or equivalent)
• Experience establishing engineering processes in growing organisations (ideally smaller companies with broad exposure not narrow areas of work within large organisations)
• Working knowledge of product security standards and quality compliance frameworks (ISO 27001 AS 9100 ISO 9001 etc.)
• Practical hands-on experience with both hardware and software system integration
• Strong technical judgement to make pragmatic trade-offs balancing startup speed with necessary rigour
• Demonstrated interest in AI tooling and keenness to pioneer new approaches rather than follow traditional methods

Nice-to-have bonus skills:

Demonstrable experience with drone and UAVs autonomous systems or complex systems generally will align well with what we need for this role. Please highlight these in your application or when talking to our team:

Priority 1: Drone/UAV Systems

• Designing drones/UAV systems through full development lifecycle
• Understanding of safety cases airworthiness standards and UAV certification processes
• MOD or defence customer experience
• Background in navigation systems sensor fusion or perception for autonomous systems

Priority 2: Adjacent Autonomous Systems

• Autonomous vehicles and robotics (Ocado Arrival Amazon Robotics Dyson)
• Missile/weapons systems with focus on the navigation subsystem

Priority 3: Complex Systems with High Assurance

• Aircraft aerospace complex hardware/software systems
• High assurance and safety requirements experience
• Academic/research experience delivering complex navigation systems
• Understanding of model-based systems engineering (MBSE)

By joining us youll have:

• The ability to make a measurable difference in the creation of cutting-edge technology in a rapidly growing start-up
• Fast-paced environment with a world-class positive talented and high-achieving team
• Merit-based compensation
• 5% employer pension contribution and pension salary sacrifice schemes
• 25 days holiday UK bank holidays
• Relocation Support Package
• Team socials
• A variety of perks which evolve frequently: Free Monday team lunch Cycle2work scheme Private Medical Insurance and a yearly voucher for your favourite app

Security clearance

Due to the sensitive nature of some of our work it would be beneficial for candidates to be able and willing to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for this role.

Location:

At our core we value the power of in-person interactions and collaborative sessions. Our office in Oxford UK is not just a workplace its a hub for team camaraderie and innovation. We have a unique and welcoming environment where team members enjoy taking their lunch together no one left behind mentality but high autonomy. We even bring our international team mates over for special events and all-company gatherings.

Whats Next
Excited to join us Apply now and a member of our HR team will get in touch. The process typically includes a screening call assessment and interview. We look forward to hearing from you!