Industrial Placement - Systems Engineer

At Northrop Grumman UK, you’ll be part of a team driving innovation where it matters most, solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. We call it Defining Possible. This mindset goes beyond our customer solutions; it’s the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community.

Due to the nature of our work, you must have Sole UK citizenship and be able to gain and maintain UK Government Security Check clearance in line with the requirements of the role.

Our recruitment team is on hand to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Contact Earlycareers@uk.ngc.com for further information.

Ready to gain practical systems engineering experience by working on critical technology that supports the UK’s submarines?

As an Industrial Placement Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the development of Platform Management Systems for the UK’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Your work will support the effective delivery of systems engineering activities across the engineering lifecycle, helping to ensure these complex systems meet customer requirements.

Working within the Integrated Systems team and alongside multidisciplinary project teams, you will support systems engineering activities from requirements through to acceptance, including verification and validation. You will take responsibility for assigned activities and deliverables while learning how technical scope, schedules and budgets are managed across strategically important national defence programmes.

This is an opportunity to apply your academic learning, develop practical systems engineering expertise and contribute to mission-critical technology with long-term impact.

Our structured 12-month Industrial Placement Programme is designed to help you develop the practical skills needed to build a successful career in defence and technology.

Starting in September 2027, the programme will give you the opportunity to contribute to meaningful systems engineering work and take part in an Industrial Placement group project. You will have a dedicated mentor, buddy, project lead and line manager, providing guidance and support throughout your placement.

From the beginning, you will contribute to assigned project activities while learning from experienced systems engineers and working as part of an integrated, multidisciplinary team.

• →Contribute to systems engineering activities from requirements through to acceptance, including verification and validation
• →Help produce project systems engineering deliverables and support continuous process improvement
• →Complete assigned activities in line with approved plans, processes and procedures
• →Help estimate the scope and effort required for systems engineering activities
• →Monitor assigned tasks, timescales and expenditure against agreed schedules and budgets
• →Support project reviews, including design, risk and change-impact reviews
• →Contribute to defect, fault and issue management, including rectification and regression activities
• →Apply relevant departmental, industry, regulatory and legislative standards to support safety, security and compliance

• Systems engineering lifecycles
• Requirements management
• Verification and validation
• Project and milestone reviews
• Task, schedule and budget management
• Design, risk and change-impact reviews
• Defect, fault and issue management
• Safety, security and regulatory compliance
• Working within multidisciplinary engineering teams

We are looking for students who are curious about how complex systems are designed, tested and accepted, and who want to develop practical experience within a mission-led engineering environment. You will bring a proactive approach, an interest in systems and control engineering, and the confidence to contribute within multidisciplinary teams.

• Currently working towards a relevant degree, such as Electronics, Mechanical, Systems or Software Engineering (or can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills through work experience or other training)
• Knowledge of systems engineering, including verification and validation
• Knowledge of control systems
• Knowledge of DOORS or a similar requirements management tool
• An understanding of verification methods used to demonstrate that requirements have been satisfied
• A proactive approach and the ability to complete a variety of project activities efficiently and professionally
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Visio, PowerPoint and Excel
• The confidence to present at reviews and meetings involving internal and external stakeholders

We welcome applications from candidates who have gained relevant skills outside of traditional degree routes. If you've built your expertise through work experience, an apprenticeship, professional certifications, bootcamps, open-source contributions, or significant personal projects, then we encourage your application.

Yes: Submit your application online.

Possibly: If you would like to learn more about the programme, the role or the security clearance process, contact Earlycareers@uk.ngc.com.

Not this opportunity: Explore other opportunities with us. We’re growing across the UK.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.