Job Description
System Design Architect
Derby
Full time
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a System Design Architect to join the Systems Design and Architecture team within the Systems Engineering and Product Performance group, helping to shape the future of advanced aerospace and power systems.
We are seeking an enthusiastic System Design Architect to develop next-generation products and technologies, including new engine architectures that support future airframes. You will be joining a multidisciplinary team where engineers are expected to develop their skills across cycle design, mechanical integrity and aircraft/systems integration.
As a System Design Architect, you will play a pivotal role in translating business, customer and regulatory requirements into robust engineering solutions. You will collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure designs meet performance, mechanical integrity, reliability, safety and lifecycle objectives, with a particular focus on gas turbine cycle design and engine performance.
What you will be doing:
- Owning the definition and development of gas turbine cycles for future products.
- Developing and maintaining thermodynamic performance models to predict engine performance across the operating envelope in the conceptual design stage.
- Defining and assessing cycle-level requirements and providing performance data to component and subsystem teams.
- Investigating the impact of component performance, technology assumptions and design changes on overall engine performance.
- Developing system requirements, interfaces, functional models and design specifications.
- Supporting nacelle, engine systems and aircraft integration.
- Undertaking mechanical integrity assessments of the powerplant, engine and subsystems.
- Supporting responses to customer data requests and working with managed service providers on data generation for customers and methods development.
- Developing engineering solutions and, where applicable, generating patents and protecting intellectual property.
- Leading cycle and architecture trade studies, design reviews and technical decision-making activities.
- Ensuring compliance with applicable industry standards, certification requirements and engineering processes.
- Supporting verification and validation activities throughout the product lifecycle.
- Identifying technical risks and developing appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Contributing to technology roadmaps and future product development initiatives.
- Working closely with subsystem and component groups, manufacturing and safety teams to develop integrated engineering solutions.
Position Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related discipline.
- Strong technical knowledge of thermodynamics and gas turbine performance.
- Experience in gas turbine cycle design, performance modelling or engine performance analysis.
- Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals, methodologies and lifecycle management.
- Cycle modelling skills, including proficient use of tools such as Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS).
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills.
Preferred Requirements:
- Knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles.
- Experience of system architecture, requirements development and functional modelling.
- Experience of nacelle, engine systems and/or aircraft integration.
- Knowledge or experience of mechanical integrity assessments.
- Experience of supporting cycle and architecture trade studies, design reviews, verification and validation activities.
- Knowledge of functional safety and reliability engineering.
- Aerospace, defence or energy experience is desirable but not a prerequisite.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards professional registration.
- Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, with the ability to grow, adapt quickly to changing requirements and actively seek to influence future products.
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.
Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.
This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
Grade: SNBG 7-10
Closing Date: 2nd October 2026
People Leader: Zubair Ahmed
For further information, please contact: Jaspreet Bagga
Job Category
Mechanical Systems
Posting Date
20 Sept 2026; 00:09
Posting End Date
02 Oct 2026
