Senior Manager System Design Authority & Independent Assurance

Why join Marshall Land Systems in this role?

As the Independent Design Assurance Lead / Systems Design Authority within Marshall Land Systems, you will act as the independent technical representative supporting the Chief Engineer. The role provides objective oversight, governance, and assurance across Land Systems programmes and products, ensuring engineering solutions are technically sound, compliant, safe, and fit for purpose throughout the product lifecycle.

Operating independently from programme delivery teams, you will provide authoritative technical challenge, assess design maturity and technical risk, and maintain confidence that engineering decisions align with customer requirements, business objectives, regulatory obligations, and engineering best practice.

Your responsibilities include:

Independent Design Assurance

Act as the independent authority for technical design assurance across Land Systems programmes

Provide objective assessment of engineering solutions throughout the system lifecycle, from concept development through design, integration, verification, validation, and in-service support
Conduct independent reviews of system architectures, design solutions, requirements compliance, and technical evidence
Assess the adequacy of engineering processes, methodologies, and technical decision-making
Verify that designs meet contractual, regulatory, safety, quality, and operational requirements
Ensure appropriate technical risks are identified, managed, and escalated
Systems Design Authority

Maintain oversight of system-level technical integrity across programmes and product lines
Provide authoritative guidance on systems engineering principles, architecture development, requirements management, integration, and verification strategies
Review and endorse key technical baselines and system design decisions
Ensure consistency between customer requirements, system architecture, subsystem designs, and verification activities
Challenge technical assumptions and decisions where evidence is insufficient or risks remain unacceptable
Support the management of technical debt, concessions, and design deviations
Engineering Governance

Support the Chief Engineer in establishing and maintaining effective engineering governance arrangements
Chair or participate in independent design reviews, technical gate reviews, and assurance boards
Review engineering deviations, waivers, concessions, and non-conformances
Ensure engineering decisions are supported by appropriate evidence and documented rationale
Monitor adherence to engineering lifecycle processes, standards, and procedures
Provide assurance input into engineering policy, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives
Technical Risk and Compliance

Assess programme technical risks and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies
Review safety cases, hazard analyses, and certification evidence as appropriate
Ensure compliance with applicable defence standards, legislation, customer specifications, and internal governance requirements
Support technical investigations and root cause analysis activities
Provide independent assessment of design maturity and readiness at key programme milestones
Stakeholder Engagement

Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Engineer and Engineering Leadership Team
Engage with Programme Managers, Technical Authorities, Systems Engineers, Design Engineers, Quality Assurance, Safety, and Integrated Logistics Support functions
Interface with customers, regulators, suppliers, and external technical authorities as required
Support customer design reviews, technical audits, and assurance activities
Provide confidence to stakeholders through clear, evidence-based assurance reporting
Undertake additional activities as required by line management

Apply if you have most of the following:

Significant experience delivering complex engineering systems within defence or aerospace
Extensive experience in systems engineering, technical risk management or engineering governance
Proven track record of leading independent design reviews and providing authoritative technical assurance across the system lifecycle
Experience assessing system architectures, requirements management, integration, verification, and validation activities
Strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders and providing independent technical judgement
Experience operating within matrix-managed, multi-disciplinary engineering environments
Desirable:

Experience operating as a Design Authority, Systems Design Authority, Chief Engineer representative, or Independent Technical Authority
Experience with military vehicle, defence platform, or land systems development programmes
Knowledge of defence acquisition, certification, and assurance frameworks
Technical Skills & Qualifications:

Degree-qualified in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Strong understanding of systems engineering lifecycle processes and associated standards
Excellent technical report writing, presentation, and communication skills
Ability to assess complex technical issues and provide independent, evidence-based judgement
Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and leadership skills
Desirable

Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
Lead Auditor qualification or recognised assurance certification
Knowledge and practical application of ISO 9001, ISO 15288, DEF STAN standards, NATO standards and functional Safety standards (where applicable)
Familiarity with engineering governance frameworks and assurance methodologies

Additional local needs:

Hybrid working offered
Occasional UK and international travel
Successful candidate will need to be eligible to hold UK SC Clearance
Ability to operate effectively across complex stakeholder and programme environments

Benefits of this role include:

Influence the technical direction and integrity of complex defence and land systems programmes while working closely with senior engineering leadership
Develop expertise in independent design assurance, systems engineering governance, and technical risk management across the full product lifecycle
Build credibility as a trusted technical authority, engaging with customers, regulators, suppliers, and senior stakeholders
Shape engineering excellence and continuous improvement initiatives that drive quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness across the organisation

Marshall Land Systems is a Canadian-owned global company with an unrivalled pedigree of British engineering excellence. From its origins in Cambridge, UK, through more than a century of innovation, pioneering advances from the nose of Concorde to the early Hydrogen fuel cell technology that ultimately powered the moon landings, Marshall engineers now continue to innovate specialist vehicles and infrastructure for NATO forces across the world. From bomb disposal vehicles to deployed shelters, from command and control to CT scanners on the battlefield, Marshall Land Systems protects people in critical situations with the very best in engineering. It employs 600 people with major facilities the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands.

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