Combat Systems Consultant

Job Title: Combat Systems Consultant

Location: Portsmouth, Portsdown Technology Park or Frimley – working a hybrid pattern

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Up to £76,200 dependent on skills and experiences plus executive package

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role description:

The MarLabs Combat Systems Consultant is a thought leader in maritime and land combat technologies, providing deep expertise in above- and below-water systems and their enabling infrastructure. Reporting to the Lead Technologist, you will shape future battlespace capabilities, support operational analysis, drive sector growth, and build strategic relationships across BAE Systems, academia, and industry to deliver tangible business impact.

Core duties:

• Supporting MarLabs analysis tasks, identifying and scoping aspects of the technical support required to deliver the task, and supporting inter and intra-business discussions to facilitate this
• Providing Combat Systems expertise in support of the MarLabs Operational Analysis ensuring the analysis has the best (within reason and classification) representation and understanding of the performance and capabilities of the differing Combat System equipment
• Using personal experience to provide technical insights with regard to current and near-future capabilities in sense, decide and effect, specifically with any emphasis on real-world limitations and constraints, especially in the Maritime environment
• Supporting MarLabs modelling and wargaming activities at all levels, providing Combat Systems engineering subject matter expertise where appropriate
• Providing insight into typical combat platform operations and the application of various sense, decide and effect capabilities within this context
• Conduct targeted research to support MarLabs Operational Analysis , including enabling value-add engagement with academia and industry, addressing Maritime & Land sector knowledge gaps, and developing long-term (20–25 year) technology roadmaps to inform future capability evolution

Essential skills:

• Degree-qualified (or equivalent) with relevant professional experience in engineering, defence, or combat systems
• Deep expertise in combat systems
• Robust engineering background underpinning the analysis, development, and integration of complex defence systems
• Ability to challenge established norms, draw on specialist networks, and apply innovative, inclusive thinking to problem-solving and solution development
• Strong experience engaging senior stakeholders, particularly customers, with a proven ability to build trusted, mutually beneficial relationships

The MarLabs Team:

MarLabs is the future facing Operational Analysis team supporting BAE Systems Maritime and Land business. The small team of analysts are focused on informing business strategy, campaigns and future product development, seeking to understand the customers challenges, inform the business response, be this in regard to short-term opportunities, or longer-term strategic positioning.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 21st May 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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