Systems Engineering Consultant

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.  

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. 

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results. 

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.  

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands. 

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life. 

• Hybrid working - our approach is to be in the office or on client site a minimum of 2 days per week. However, the actual time you spend and where you spend it will vary by role or assignment, including up to 5 days per week on a client site.
• There will be an expectation for you to work from either a PA office and/or client location at least 3 x per week
• Travel to client site will be necessary as and when the client requires
• This role can be based from our Bristol, London (Victoria) or Manchester office
• Application deadline: ASAP

What is next in your career?

Our Systems Insights & Solutions team are looking for exceptional Systems Engineering Consultants with experience from across a range of sectors such as Defence and Security, Public Services, Transport, Energy and Utilities and more.  You will work in blended teams, partnering with specialists from across the breadth of PA to turn complex, dynamic, and interconnected challenges into opportunity. You will tackle some of PA’s hardest problems by applying proven Systems Engineering, and System Thinking techniques to break down and solve complex problems which span organisations and disciplines (people, process, information, technology).

Our success is driven by our capability to understand the problem and solution spaces, from business need to component design, drawing on a wealth of knowledge from our diverse team of talented consultants. We combine our knowledge on Systems Engineering, and Systems Thinking to be the go-to company for developing practical and innovative systems for complex real world strategic issues. We excel in solving a wide range of complex problems, delivering tailored, innovative solutions that meet our clients' needs. Our Services range from: Decision & Planning Support, System of Systems & Enterprise Design, Complex Engineering Delivery and Systems Analysis & Resilience. Our deep expertise and collaborative approach ensure we drive impactful outcomes across all our engagements.

 Recent projects include: -

• Setting up an enterprise to counter online crime which spans law enforcement, regulators, and social media firms.
• Designing and procuring UK MOD’s future satellite communications services.
• Creating a new international collaboration to design and develop the next generation of fighter jets.
• Embedding a systems approach to capability management and architecture for UK Defence.

As a Systems Insights and Solutions Consultant, you will be working on projects with true impact on everyday life, delivering game changing solutions. Examples of such application might include:

• Optimisation of mixed technical-digital systems and Operational Technology across large scale platforms in Defence
• Use of MBSE to articulate architecture and design
• Implementation of organisational design methodologies to create new ways of working for our clients
• Design of systems-based frameworks and governance models to improve capability procurement and management
• Development of cutting-edge transport solutions which are shaped by the requirements of modern societies
• Implementation of AI and machine learning to transform data analysis and engineering delivery.

• The ideal candidate will have proven experience in the application of Systems Engineering and Systems Thinking mindset, tools and approaches, helping to resolve a range of complex and societally meaningful client challenges.
• You will have strong analytical skills, and also be able to apply more creative and abstract thinking to help develop ingenious solutions.
• As a client facing role, you will be expected to engage and present to clients, and therefore will be a strong communicator (verbal and written), able to highlight recommendations and insights.
• Proven experience working across an engineering enterprise at different stages of the systems engineering lifecycle.

Desirable attributes include:

• Demonstrated expertise in solution definition and design, particularly in defining system boundaries, identifying interdependencies across the wider ecosystem, and recognising key stakeholders.
• Experience working on system of systems.
• Experience using modelling and/or architecture industry standard tooling, frameworks and languages.
• Experience in process improvement and tailoring.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative way with clients and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Confident working independently as the day-to-day client point of contact.

We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application

Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance.

All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard however, some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK.

We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.

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Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work. 

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self. 

Find out more about Life at PA here. 

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits: 

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days 
• Generous company pension scheme 
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives 
• Annual performance-based bonus 
• PA share ownership 
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn) 

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups. 

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [email protected]