Chief Architect - Satellite Ground Systems

Location:

Swindon, GB, SN13 9NR Bordon, GB, GU35 9JA Bristol, GB, BS3 2HQ

Onsite or Hybrid: Hybrid

Job Title: Chief Architect
Location: UK, Flexible + travel to Corsham, Wiltshire + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF60234

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Chief Architect at our Corsham, Wiltshire site.

The Role
As a Chief Architect you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You’ll provide technical leadership, independent technical oversight and subject matter expertise to the Skynet engineering teams to develop new, and support in-service, Satellite Communications systems and services for UK Defence customers. This role is pivotal in shaping the architecture, design, and long-term evolution of the ground segment that supports secure, resilient, and high-capacity satellite communications for the UK’s defence operations.

Day-to-day, you’ll collaborate with senior stakeholders across the Ministry of Defence, industry partners, and international allies to ensure the ground segment meets the highest standards of performance, security, and operational flexibility in line with military requirements.

• Define and maintain the end-to-end architectural framework for the ground segment, ensuring alignment with the overall UK Ministry of Defence satellite communications strategy.
• Lead the integration of ground segment components with satellite constellations and military communications networks, ensuring seamless interoperability and performance.
• Develop and implement a technology roadmap that supports the modernization, scalability, and resilience of ground infrastructure, including emerging technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, cyber resilience, cloud technologies).
• Ensure the ground segment is designed and operated to meet the highest security standards, adhering to UK defence regulations, cybersecurity frameworks, and operational security requirements.
• Work closely with Ministry of Defence leadership, military branches, and external contractors, ensuring all stakeholder needs and operational requirements are captured in the architectural design.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams, including systems engineers, network architects, and cybersecurity experts, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.

This role is full time, 37 hours per week and requires travel to Hawthorn, Oakhanger, and Bristol alongside home working arrangements.

Essential Experience of the Chief Architect

• Significant years of experience in satellite communications or related telecommunications architecture, with a strong focus on ground segment systems and infrastructure.
• Demonstrable experience leading large-scale technical programs or architecture teams within a defence or high-security environment.
• Deep knowledge of satellite ground station infrastructure, Radio Frequency RF systems, secure communications, network management systems, and integration with satellite constellations.
• Comprehensive understanding of defence security requirements, encryption technologies, and secure data handling protocols.
• Strong communication skills with a proven track record of engaging with senior military and government stakeholders, as well as external industry partners.
• Ability to identify complex technical challenges and develop innovative, scalable solutions within constrained military environments.

Qualifications for the Chief Architect

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional accreditation/ experience.
• Experience working on Ministry of Defence or equivalent international military satellite communications projects.
• Knowledge of satellite communications architectures and virtualized network functions.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance for this role. However, you will be able to start on Security Check (SC) security clearance with the view to obtain Developed Vetting (DV).

What We Offer

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing
• Flexible working – we give people more options to better integrate their work and personal life, whilst ensuring that business needs are met
• Opportunity to work on some of the most exciting engineering projects this country has to offer
• A relocation package for those outside of the region

Babcock International
For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

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