Systems Engineer (Bids)

Location: 4 days onsite per week in Brighton
Duration: Initial 6 months
Rate: Flexible - Outside IR35
We are seeking a Systems Engineer contractor with strong experience supporting defence bids and proposals. This role is focused on the front-end bid phase of programmes and is not a traditional delivery Systems Engineering position.
You will work within a technically led organisation, supporting the development of competitive, compliant defence bids by coordinating technical inputs and shaping system-level responses to formal RFPs.
The Role As a bid-focused Systems Engineer, you will:
*Support the end-to-end defence bid lifecycle, from RFP release through to submission
*Analyse customer requirements and develop system-level technical responses
*Coordinate and consolidate inputs from engineering SMEs across the business
*Ensure bid responses are technically coherent, compliant, and traceable
*Support bid gate reviews, technical governance, and internal approval processes
*Translate complex system concepts into clear, structured proposal content
*Work closely with commercial teams while maintaining a technical Systems Engineering perspective
Skills & Experience *Background as a Systems Engineer within defence or a highly regulated environment
*Demonstrable experience supporting bids, proposals, or tender responses
*Strong understanding of systems engineering principles applied at bid stage (requirements, architectures, trade-offs)
*Commercial awareness (cost, risk, schedule impacts) without being commercially led
*Comfortable engaging with senior engineers, bid managers, and stakeholders
*Experience working to formal defence bid processes and governance frameworks
This role is ideal for a Systems Engineer who specialises in bid and proposal work, rather than programme delivery or design assurance.