Systems Design Authority

Our client a multinational defence and security company is looking to recruit an experienced Leader and Design Authority to fulfil the System Design Authority (SDA) role for a key Cyclamen Project. The SDA should bring leadership and governance to support the solution's development and ensure the design aligns with the strategic vision. The SDA will verify the solution from conception to implementation and as the solution owner, will monitor change and be the focal point for issues, opportunities, and threats. The SDA will ensure that the Target Operating Model is achievable regarding resources, objectives and benefits in alignment with the strategy. The role will require occasional work outside regular office hours and attending site visits at locations around the South Coast of the UK. The SDA will work alongside and deliver support to a specialised engineering team responsible for the ongoing system support of a significant Home Office contract. The SDA should have solid knowledge and experience in the disciplines involved in full lifecycle software and systems Engineering. In particular, they should have good experience in systems integration, with a strong emphasis on software-led integration, API design and implementation, and secure interoperability, alongside basic networking skills. What you will do The SDA will be responsible for the end-to-end design and implementation of a key software system. This will include analysis and design, assisting with and governing software development and hosting, and achieving successful IT health checks, testing, and deployment. Client will propose and deliver solutions that comply with the relevant standards, meet all operational requirements already in place and assist the customer in completing their governance processes. The design should be modular and where possible, adopt existing products, technologies and subsystems. The SDA will have holistic responsibility for the management, tracking, and fulfilment of project progress, together with the preparation, updating and custody of the system/architectural specifications, drawings and other data associated with the design. The SDA is responsible for preparing the appropriate certificate of design and its submission for acceptance. The role will require collaboration with existing port and system operators, suppliers, and support organisations to achieve alignment with concurrent changes being adopted in the other Cyclamen operations and systems. Responsibility for the integrity and suitability of the design and for leading the lifecycle management of the product, including design reviews, verification, and qualification activities, will also lie with the SDA. The system design will consist of the following: Image Identification Traffic Management System The system is expected to have a minimum effect on the ports' traffic flow. This will likely require linking to the existing Cyclamen Port IT system & operations and working closely with a mobile high-energy X-ray system. The Client SDA will also provide the technical link between Client and the Home Office, the HO Technical Authority (R/N), and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). What we are looking for The successful candidate will have an outstanding range of knowledge and experience in integrating systems containing electronic, electrical, and mechanical components and sub-systems. Specific knowledge and experience in one or more areas below will be advantageous. Defining and maintenance of architectural principles, patterns and frameworks Ensuring adherence to technical and security standards and identifying corrective action Advanced software architecture, API integration, and design for scalability Leadership in software-led systems integration, including cross-domain interoperability Formal methods for analysis and design Dynamically scaled containerisation such as those managed by Kubernetes Architectures for sharing databases between processes & locking strategies Linux platforms such as RHEL and/or Ubuntu System Administrator experience including patch management, monitoring eg SCOM, mitigating security vulnerabilities. Secure by Design principles Design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, with Embedded DevSecOps practices Machine learning models for object detection/optical character recognition IT Networking In addition, experience with MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, Project etc is essential. Personal Attributes Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to work under broad direction, with minimal supervision, in challenging technical environments. Ability to work as part of a team. Personable and flexible, willing to work in a highly focused and demanding environment. SC security clearance, ideally Home Office SC. Due to the nature of the tasks involved, you must be able to satisfy the security clearance for the role applied for and meet a minimum of 5 years of permanent residency in the UK Please send your CV in the first instance.