Senior Mission System Architect – Payload

Salary: £40,000 - 70,000 per year

Requirements:

• A degree in Engineering or a related subject
• Full membership of an appropriate engineering institution and Chartered Engineer status, or actively working towards it
• Extensive experience in maritime payload integration and system-of-systems architecture
• Deep knowledge of defence sensors, effectors, ISR and mission systems

Responsibilities:

• Lead architecture for sensors, effectors, ISR and mission payloads
• Define payload integration standards, interfaces and design principles
• Ensure interoperability across platforms, mission systems and off-board assets
• Embed safety, survivability and assurance within payload architectures
• Champion open, modular and scalable payload solutions
• Influence stakeholders on payload strategy and integration approaches
• Lead the design, integration and assurance of maritime mission system payloads, including sensors, effectors, ISR and autonomous capabilities
• Define modular, vendor-agnostic architectures that enable payloads to operate effectively across complex force-level environments
• Work closely with customers, suppliers and programme teams to ensure solutions are interoperable, resilient and optimised for maritime operations
• Help shape future payload strategies, influence architectural direction and support the delivery of next-generation mission capabilities for domestic and export programmes

Technologies:

• Architect
• Support
• Security
• Network

More:

We are BAE Systems, a global defence, aerospace and security company where you will be part of something bigger, bringing your skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. This Senior Mission System Architect – Payload role is based in Portsmouth (Broad Oak) or Frimley, Filton, Dorchester, with a hybrid working pattern of 3 days on site and routine travel to other southern BAE sites in the UK, plus occasional international travel. You will join our dynamic and rapidly expanding Naval Ships Combat Systems business and work within a highly skilled team of system architects shaping the future of maritime mission systems. We offer a career with purpose, lifelong learning, meaningful work, rewards tailored to you and your family, support for financial and personal wellbeing, and an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.

last updated 37 week of 2026