Autonomy Solution Architect - Outisde IR35 - 6 Month

Contract Autonomy Systems Architect

About the role

Our client is looking for an experienced Autonomy Systems Architect to support the architecture and delivery of a complex autonomous platform. The role spans onboard services, remote operations, mission management, communications, simulation environments and payload interfaces.

This is a senior technical position suited to someone with strong experience across autonomous and safety-critical cyber-physical systems , combining systems architecture with practical integration, verification and technical leadership.

You can come from a range of autonomy backgrounds. Previous maritime experience is not required. Relevant experience could include UAV/UAS, robotics, aerospace, defence, autonomous vehicles, automotive, maritime or other complex autonomous platforms .

The key requirement is strong end-to-end autonomy architecture experience, with the ability to define how software, sensors, communications, control systems and physical platforms interact within a complete autonomous system.

Main responsibilities

• Own and maintain the target and reference architecture for the autonomy stack, covering onboard services, Remote Operating Centres, mission management, communications, simulation environments and payload interfaces.
• Define functional boundaries between architectural layers, including authority transfer, degraded operating modes, fault handling and safe-state behaviours.
• Own architecture views, service contracts, APIs, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), data models, telemetry schemas and non-functional requirements.
• Translate the engineering roadmap into autonomy delivery plans, product increments, technical dependencies and measurable acceptance criteria.
• Lead progressive autonomy capability enhancements, ensuring solutions are operationally useful, supportable and appropriately assured.
• Translate operational and mission requirements into Concepts of Operation (CONOPS), system architectures, technical solutions, trade studies and verification strategies.
• Develop and maintain the autonomy capability map, covering system maturity, ownership, safety criticality and release evidence requirements.
• Define modular architectures and integration boundaries across software services, networks, communications, sensors, actuators, payloads and physical platforms.
• Define and govern reusable virtual integration and simulation environments.
• Lead verification activities throughout the development lifecycle using Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), simulation, automated testing, integration testing and physical platform trials.
• Ensure traceability from system and software requirements through verification, defect resolution and final release recommendations.
• Support the integration of autonomy sensors and supporting systems, potentially including radar, EO/IR, AIS, GNSS, lidar and sonar.
• Manage supplier integration through technical requirements, interface definitions, test harnesses, evidence packs and acceptance criteria.
• Lead technical investigations into complex cross-system autonomy issues involving software, networking, communications, sensors, control systems and physical platforms.
• Support commissioning, system integration, trials and early operational deployments.
• Lead architecture and design reviews, presenting technical recommendations, risks, trade-offs and decisions to customers, partners and engineering leadership.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring across multidisciplinary systems, software, robotics, controls and integration engineering teams.

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience architecting and delivering end-to-end autonomous, robotic or other complex cyber-physical systems.
• Autonomy experience from a relevant domain such as UAV/UAS, robotics, aerospace, defence, autonomous vehicles, automotive, maritime or similar safety-critical platforms.
• Strong systems-level understanding of autonomy functions, system behaviour, platform safety and autonomous decision-making.
• Proven ability to translate operational or mission requirements into architectures, interfaces, requirements, trade studies and technical delivery plans.
• Experience defining modular software and systems architectures, including APIs, service interfaces, data flows and deployment boundaries.
• Practical experience integrating and troubleshooting software, networks, sensors, actuators, communications and physical platforms.
• Experience using simulation, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), test automation and field or platform trials.
• Understanding of safety engineering and assurance principles within autonomous, safety-critical or high-integrity systems.
• Experience maintaining requirements and verification traceability across multidisciplinary systems.
• Experience evaluating suppliers, defining technical acceptance criteria and managing integration across internal and external engineering teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex architecture and systems concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Degree qualification or equivalent professional experience in Systems Engineering, Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Control Engineering or a related discipline.
• Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance.
• Full UK driving licence, or the ability to travel independently to integration and trial locations.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas.

Desirable experience

• Autonomous marine systems, uncrewed vehicles or Remote Operating Centres.
• Maritime navigation systems and COLREG-aware autonomous behaviours.
• ROS 2, DDS or comparable distributed robotics middleware.
• Sensor fusion and perception systems incorporating radar, EO/IR, AIS, GNSS, lidar and sonar.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), SysML and digital engineering approaches.
• Working knowledge of C++ and Python and modern software development practices.
• Functional safety, defence assurance, cyber security or relevant certification frameworks.
• Development of Operational Design Domains (ODDs) and Concepts of Operation.
• Human-machine interaction and authority-transfer models for autonomous or remotely operated platforms.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams or operating as a Systems Architect, Technical Lead or Design Authority.
• Chartered Engineer status, INCOSE certification or progress towards professional accreditation.
• Existing UK Security Clearance.

The offer

• Contract: 6 months
• Engagement: Freelance / Contract
• IR35 status: Outside IR35
• Level: Senior / Lead
• Travel: UK integration and trial locations, with occasional overseas travel

This is an opportunity for a senior autonomy specialist to take technical ownership of a complex autonomous system and influence its development from architecture and simulation through to integration, verification and operational deployment.

If your background spans autonomy, robotics, aerospace, defence, automotive or another complex cyber-physical environment, we would be interested in discussing the opportunity with you.