Role Overview - Shape the Future of Defence Satellite Communications

Thorn SDS is a niche Managed Service Provider, who is committed to enabling technology organisations and professionals to thrive within the Space, Defence and Security sectors.

We are seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to join our team and take a pivotal role in defining, developing, and governing the architectural foundations of critical UK Defence Satellite Communications capabilities. As the Lead Systems Engineer, you’ll guide the evolution of complex, high-value SATCOM systems, ensuring architectural coherence, integrity, and innovation across a multi-year transformation programme.

This is a unique opportunity to influence national defence capability, working at scale on architectures that span everything from spacecraft to ground systems and enterprise-level digital services.

What You’ll Do

As the Lead Systems Engineer, you will:

• Lead the SATCOM architecture team, providing technical direction, oversight, and expert guidance within SATCOM Team
• Own the SATCOM Architecture Roadmap, charting the journey from the current “As-Is” environment to a robust, future-focused “To-Be” architecture.
• Develop and maintain the SATCOM System Architecture, ensuring it remains coherent, traceable, and aligned with programme and Defence objectives.
• Capture and manage architecture baselines, including interface definitions, dependencies, and configuration within the authoritative repository.
• Provide expert SATCOM architecture support to design, development, assurance and wider enterprise integration activities—including alignment with the Defence Digital Enterprise Architecture.

What You’ll Bring

Essential Experience

• Proven experience managing technical architecture processes for large, complex systems.
• Expertise in developing and maintaining architecture baselines, including interface and dependency management.
• Ability to define and apply Use Cases to translate user needs into clear, structured system functionality.
• Strong understanding of Satellite Communications systems.
• Experience working with the NATO Architecture Framework (NAF).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills—able to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Experience

• Proven experience of working in a Defence environment
• Familiarity with Defence ways of working, including KiD and GEAR.
• Experience with architecture tooling such as Sparx EA or Bizzdesign (preferred).
• Working knowledge of modelling languages such as ArchiMate (preferred), UML, or SysML.
• Understanding of the full Systems Engineering life-cycle (INCOSE / ISO/IEC 15288).
• Experience developing Service Architectures and service-based solutions.

Why Join?

• Play a leading role in shaping UK Defence’s next-generation SATCOM capabilities.
• Influence high-impact architectural decisions on a national strategic programme.
• Join a highly skilled, mission-driven engineering and architecture community.
• Enjoy a balanced, flexible working environment with hybrid options.

Benefits

• 25 days Annual Leave (plus Bank Holidays)

• Employer Pension Contributions
• Group Life Insurance
• Dental Cashback Plan
• Health Cashback Plan
• Well-being Services (includes GP, Physio and Savings Benefits)
• Thorn Well-being Support Contribution
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Supported Training & Personal Development Opportunities

Apply

If you have the expertise to support this requirement and are eager to make an impact in a critical role, please apply today!

All applicants must hold the Right to Work in the UK and already possess, or be eligible to obtain, National Security Clearance.

Due to the nature of our business, your nationality, previous nationalities, and country of birth may influence the types of roles for which you are eligible. For more details, visit the GOV.UK website or click here.