About this role
Defending open societies through advanced artificial intelligence creates significant technical challenges in the security sector, requiring skilled systems engineering to deliver robust capabilities. Helsing seeks a Systems Engineer in London to drive the end-to-end technical delivery of software-intensive systems across the complete V-cycle, spanning requirements definition, architecture, design, integration, verification, validation, and release.
Operating as a central technical integrator, this person will collaborate daily with software architects, hardware developers, and AI engineers to maintain architectural coherence and system-level alignment. Responsibilities include planning system-level testing, performing root-cause failure analysis, producing technical documentation, and serving as a direct technical touchpoint for customer stakeholders during milestone reviews and demonstrations.
Ideal candidates bring comprehensive experience across the engineering V-cycle with a heavy emphasis on software systems, coupled with active UK Security Clearance and direct customer-facing capabilities. Someone who thrives in a mission-driven defense environment, values transparent technical debates, and communicates fluently in English will succeed in this role.
What you will do
- Drive systems engineering execution across the entire V-cycle with a strong emphasis on software systems.
- Plan and execute system-level testing while analyzing complex test data to lead root-cause analysis on failures and anomalies.
- Collaborate daily across multi-disciplinary engineering tracks by partnering closely with software architects, hardware developers, and AI engineers.
- Serve as a direct technical touchpoint for customer stakeholders through technical exchange meetings, milestone reviews, and customer demonstrations.
- Produce and maintain clear technical documentation, requirements traceability matrices, and verification evidence for system acceptance and operational release.
- Champion modern engineering practices, data-driven diagnostic approaches, and collaborative development tools to accelerate delivery.
What you need
- Have delivered a software product to a UK MoD or other B2B/B2G customer, or at minimum delivered an integrated hardware and software product end-to-end.
- Possess comprehensive experience across the full engineering V-cycle with experience weighted towards software rather than hardware.
- Demonstrate a proven ability to conduct system-level testing, analyse test data, and support complex root-cause failure analysis to drive rapid iteration cycles.
- Be comfortable collaborating daily with software architects, hardware developers, and AI engineers to maintain system-level consistency and alignment across disciplines.
- Have direct customer-facing experience and the ability to engage comfortably with customer stakeholders and end users.
- Hold an active UK Security Clearance (SC).
- Communicate with full fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Nice to have
- Experience working with Palantir or equivalent data integration and analytics toolsets.
- Practical systems engineering or delivery experience in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
- Practical use of AI tools to accelerate engineering workflows.
- Python or general software development skills.
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and VSOP options
- Relocation support: up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation
- Learning: €500/£450 yearly allowance
- Health & wellness: gym membership and mental health support
- Enhanced parental leave: 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers
- Family support: 5 days of paid family emergency leave, 100% remote work option during pregnancy and phased return to work
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What location is this role based in?
The position is based in London, England, United Kingdom, with a willingness to travel to customer sites across the UK.
What security clearance is required for this role?
Candidates must hold an active UK Security Clearance (SC).
What benefits are provided by the company?
The company offers competitive salary and VSOP options, relocation support, a learning allowance, gym and mental health support, enhanced parental leave, and paid family emergency leave.