Principal Systems Engineer (Bid Lead)

Company Description

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

We're looking for a Principal Systems Engineer / Technical Bid Lead to lead the technical development of complex defence bids and shape system-level solutions for next-generation capability programmes. Acting as the technical authority within the bid team, you will translate customer requirements into compliant, competitive solutions while influencing bid strategy, technical direction, and proposal development across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Location: Stevenage or Bristol
On-site Requirement: 3 Days Per Week
Seniority: 10+ Years Experience
Security Clearance: Candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of complex defence bids and proposal activities.
• Translate customer requirements into compliant, competitive system solutions.
• Act as the technical authority throughout the bid lifecycle, ensuring technical coherence and robustness.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in the development of technical solutions, estimates, assumptions, and risk assessments.
• Challenge and review technical inputs to ensure accuracy, affordability, and deliverability.
• Develop and review technical proposal content and supporting documentation.
• Support internal governance and gate review activities throughout the bid process.
• Present technical solutions and strategies to senior stakeholders and customers.
• Work closely with programme, commercial, and bid management teams to deliver winning proposals.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Demonstrable experience leading technical bid activities within complex defence or aerospace programmes.
• Strong systems engineering background, including requirements management, solution development, and system lifecycle processes.
• Experience translating customer requirements into technically compliant and commercially competitive solutions.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through proposal and concept-definition activities.
• Experience developing technical estimates, identifying risks, and supporting bid planning activities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including interaction with customers, programme leadership, and senior engineering teams.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience authoring or reviewing technical proposal documentation.

Soft Skills & Collaboration

• Strong technical leadership and decision-making capability.
• Excellent customer-facing communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and challenge technical assumptions constructively.
• Collaborative approach to working across engineering, programme, and commercial functions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience.

Desirable Skills

• Experience supporting major defence acquisition or capability programmes.
• Previous experience acting as a Technical Bid Lead, Capture Lead, Solution Lead, or Lead Systems Engineer.
• Knowledge of air systems, weapons systems, or complex mission-critical defence platforms.
• Experience supporting proposal reviews, governance processes, and customer presentations.
• Familiarity with systems engineering tools such as IBM Rhapsody, DOORS, Cameo, or equivalent.
• Understanding of defence procurement and competitive bidding environments.

Additional Information

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.