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TopEngineer.com Job Of the Week!
Job – Systems Integration Engineer in Newport
Location: Newport, UK
Salary
£300 – £350 Per day
Job type: Contract
Category: Defence Engineering
Job Reference: 1143488
Posted on: 5 Dec 2018
About the Role:
System Integration and Test Engineers required to operate as part of the System Team at the Value Stream Level within a Scaled Agile Framework. Tasks will be varied and include product & system integration, verification, validation, assurance & platform based testing with problem investigation and support for field based testing. The successful candidate will work within a multi-disciplined engineering team to deliver outputs that meet customer needs to defined quality standards within agreed timescales and budgets.
The successful candidate will have the bellow skills/experience:
* Technical experience in the application of practical and pragmatic Systems Integration and Test engineering on large scale Defence design and development programs.
* Practical hands on experience in lab and field based military systems testing including equipment/system commissioning and fault finding
* Experience in build and test automation.
* Microsoft Windows Platform experience with good understanding of Windows architecture, services, security features, and virtualization
* Experienced in the use of one or more the following engineering tools or equivalents: IBM DOORS, Rational Quality Manager, Rational Team Concert, Microsoft Office tools
Candidates must be willing to undergo the security vetting procedure.
Modis International Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. Modis International Ltd UK is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
LOCATIONS
LAND
07 Dec 18. Systematic expands North American footprint. The Ottawa-based office positions the company to better serve the Canadian Armed Forces. Systematic is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Ottawa, Canada, strengthening the company’s position in the North American market.
The enterprise will be led by Steve Pope, who joins Systematic as Business Development Director after a 25-year career in the signals branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. Following his service, Steve held a number of senior positions with defence primes and brings a wealth of experience in the C4ISR sector.
“Establishing a footprint in Canada marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Systematic,” says Pope, “We recognise the important role that Canada plays in NATO, NORAD, and elsewhere. The Canadian Armed Forces have contributed significantly to NATO and UN operations, and possess advanced tri-service capabilities.”
“We believe there are opportunities for the Canadian Armed Forces to benefit from our leading command-and-control software suite, SitaWare, not least due to the nature of the operations carried out by the CAF – where they typically operate as part of a coalition – but also because of Canada’s membership of the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance,” Pope notes. “The software’s architecture provides for unparalleled interoperability between armed forces and across domains.”
The Canadian Armed Forces were the first customer for Systematic’s EWare software and are a long-standing operator of the company’s IRIS suite – the de-facto standard in NATO countries for interoperability and military messaging.
“We look forward to furthering our relationship with the CAF and bringing to them our best-in-class solutions.”
07 Dec 18. Kongsberg will increase its Australian workforce to more than 50 as part of a new strategic expansion into Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, said the expansion was part of a long-term focus on Australia and highlighted Kongsberg’s confidence in the Australian government’s Defence Export Strategy and record $200 bn investment in Australian Defence Force capability. “Kongsberg has a long and successful 30-year history of partnership with the Australian Defence Force and Australian local industry – helping to create jobs, boost the economy and build Australian capabilities,” Lie said. Last Thursday, Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo officially opened Kongsberg’s new Canberra office, which will become its business development and strategy hub for defence activities in Australia. (Source: Google/Defence Connect)
05 Dec 18. BAE Systems’ Academy for Skills and Knowledge, at BAE Systems’ Submarines site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was officially opened by the Secretary of State for Defence, Gavin Williamson. The state-of-the-art £25m training academy covers 89,340sq ft and was built to develop the world-class engineering skills required to design, build and deliver complex submarine programmes to the Royal Navy. Featuring classrooms, workshops, a virtual reality suite and scale-model sized submarine units, the academy will provide bespoke training to almost 9,000 employees, including nearly 800 apprentices.
Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Defence, said: “The Dreadnought programme is truly a national endeavour, employing some of the brightest engineers and scientists in this country.
“This new Academy for Skills and Knowledge is a vital part of this programme as, alongside our industry partners, we strive to upskill and maintain the talented workforce building these state-of-the-art submarines.”
Cliff Robson, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, said: “This is a fantastic facility that will provide a unique environment in which to train our growing workforce. Our investment in skills will not only ensure we have a pipeline of world-class talent available to deliver our complex programmes, but will also positively contribute to the economic prosperity of the region and the UK’s engineering industry.
“The new academy will give our current and future workforce access to the very latest in learning and development, demonstrating our lasting commitment not just to our current employees but to those who will join our company in years to come.
“To support this, we continue to work closely with local schools and colleges and we see the academy as another positive step towards helping to raise standards of education in the area.”
The academy is part of a substantial site investment programme that will provide a range of new and upgraded facilities to the workforce – from experienced naval architects and systems engineers to new apprentices and graduates – working to deliver the Astute and Dreadnought class submarines for the Royal Navy.
The academy will deliver a range of training, from mechanical and electrical skills in its 10 workshops to design and project management in its 30 classrooms. Resources such as the virtual reality training suite will allow employees to hone their skills in a simulated environment, before working on the real product.
It also forms part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to developing future talent, with more than 280 employees being recruited to join Submarines on early careers programmes in 2019. This follows more than 250 employees that joined as apprentices, higher apprentices or graduates earlier this year, as the business continues to support the ramp-up of production on the Dreadnought programme.
BAE Systems’ Submarines business is a major contributor to the regional and national UK economy. Last year it spent approximately £700m with more than 700 suppliers and in 2016 supported one in 20 jobs in the regional economy.
During a visit to Barrow in May this year, the Defence Secretary also opened a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the Central Yard Complex, where certain phases of construction for the Dreadnought class will take place – marking the latest development in a major infrastructure investment programme.
The Submarines academy is the second of its type to be opened by BAE Systems in North West England and joins a network of similar facilities in place to train and develop the 34,000 BAE Systems employees across the UK. The first Academy for Skills and Knowledge was opened in Samlesbury, Lancashire, to support BAE Systems’ Air business, and last year celebrated delivering more than 250,000 training hours in its first year.
03 Dec 18. Elbit opens new manufacturing facility in Romania. Elbit Systems has opened a new facility in Romania that will serve as an engineering and manufacturing facility for land systems. Located near Bucharest, the 1,000m 2 facility will be used to produce and integrate Elbit’s turrets and weapons systems that are being developed for customers in Romania and the wider region, acting as a hub for neighbouring countries. This is the fourth facility that Elbit has established in Romania, and will expand its manufacturing, engineering, and employment base in the country, as well as continue the transfer of technology into Romania. The Israeli company said it has been selling systems to Romania for 25 years, working with local industry on large programmes including aircraft upgrades, as well as land and naval projects. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MARITIME
05 Dec 18. New frigate joins Iranian navy. The frigate Sahand officially joined the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) during a ceremony held at the main naval base at Bandar Abbas on 1 December, more than five years after it was ostensibly launched. Classified as a destroyer by the IRIN, the vessel is the third of the navy’s Mowj derivates of the Alvand-class light frigates that were built in the UK for Iran in the 1960s. Sahand has the same name and number (74) as the original Alvand-class vessel sunk by the US Navy in 1988. The two frigates previously produced under the Mowj project were Jamaran and Damavand, the latter of which sank in the Caspian Sea early this year after it grounded on the breakwater outside Bandar Anzali. A fourth vessel is under construction in Bandar Abbas and will be called Dena, according to IRIN Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi. The new Sahand’s superstructure has been redesigned to reduce its radar signature. Rear Admiral Ali Qolamzadeh, director of the IRIN’s Self-Sufficiency Jihad, told the Fars news agency that this has increased its radar-evading capability by 30%. He also said that the capabilities of its weapons, electronic warfare systems, and its endurance are at least double those of Jamaran. Like Jamaran and Damavand, Sahand has a unique arrangement of weaponry. Its main gun is the standard 76mm, although there appears to be no fire-control radar on top of the bridge. Two triple launchers for lightweight torpedoes are located in the standard position either side of the helicopter hangar. There are 20mm GAM-BO1 guns mounted on the deck above. Two boxes in front of the bridge are probably launchers for Iran’s Merhad derivative of the SM-1 surface-to-air missile. Four anti-ship missiles, either Nour (C-802) or the longer-range Ghadir version, are located behind the funnel, two facing either way. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
AIR
05 Dec 18. USAF reactivates 308th Fighter Squadron for F-35As at Luke AFB. The US Air Force (USAF) has revived the 308th Fighter Squadron (FS) to house the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force.
The 308th FS has been placed at Luke Air Force Base (AFB) and will help train the F-35A pilots of the Dutch and the Danish airforces alongside USAF pilots. In the next two years, the Dutch and Danish F-35As will arrive at Luke AFB and be stationed at the FS. The 308th FS is set to commence operations this month and will be commanded by lieutenant colonel Robert Miller.
Miller said: “The 308th FS is the fourth F-35 squadron at Luke, but the most important part of this activation is that we will be with two partner nations. In a few weeks, the Dutch will start their F-35 training followed by the Danes.”
The 308th FS was constituted on 30 January 1942 and was stood down in June 2015 after 73 years of service. Luke AFB is serving as an F-35A training site for ten foreign countries, including Canada, Turkey and South Korea.
Miller added: “The trust that we build at Luke with our partners is critical to our success on the battlefield. The opportunity to train, learn and be together is unparalleled elsewhere. We are changing the way our airforce and other nations prepare for war.”
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin in three variants, the F-35 JSF is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft designed for various ground attack, reconnaissance and air defence missions with stealth capability. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
04 Dec 18. Italy becomes first European operator to declare IOC for F-35. The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana: AMI) has become the first European operator to declare its Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) fit for service, with the announcement on 30 November of the type’s initial operating capability (IOC). The IOC announcement, which pertains to the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A variant of the aircraft, comes two years after the first aircraft was delivered from the US to Amendola Air Force Base in December 2016, and three years after the first test, evaluation, and training F-35A was delivered to the AMI in December 2015. The AMI has a programme- of record for 60 F-35As and 30 short take-off and landing (STOVL) F-35Bs (although 15 of the latter will be operated by the Italian Navy). With deliveries ongoing, the final aircraft is scheduled to be handed over in 2027. The F-35A will replace the Panavia Tornado and Alenia-Embraer AMX in AMI service, while the F-35B variant will replace the Italian Navy’s McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Harrier II+.(Source: IHS Jane’s)
04 Dec 18. Leonardo flies new baseline C-27J for first time. Leonardo has flown its new baselined C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft for the first time, the company announced on 4 December.
The flight from Leonardo’s Aircraft Division plant in Turin, Italy, marked a major milestone in the development of the aircraft, which has been upgraded to satisfy global air traffic management requirements. As noted by Leonardo, the aircraft has been fitted with new avionics, navigation systems, lighting, and other equipment.
As well as being fitted to all new C-27Js rolling off the production line, this new baseline configuration will also be offered to existing C-27J customers as a retrofit. These comprise Australia, Bulgaria, Chad, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Slovakia, the US, and Zambia. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
03 Dec 18. British military appointments ‘certainly not what people were expecting.’ The British Ministry of Defence has taken the unorthodox route of tapping military officers below the level of the most senior commanders for promotion to top jobs.
The message being put out by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is that innovators have been appointed at the expense of more senior officers as Britain looks to modernize its armed forces to better respond to new threats in the domains of cyber and space.
“Forward-looking and keen to modernize the armed forces, these are the transformational leaders we need in these challenging times,” Williamson said. “The appointment of a new generation of commanders will ensure that Britain remains ready to face the threats of tomorrow.”
The appointments come as the government prepares to release more information on the results a long-running defense review, known as the Modernising Defence Programme. The review is expected to be released before Christmas. However, the timing could be impacted by a battle in Parliament over Britain’s departure from the European Union.
- The appointments will see Vice Adm. Tony Radakin become an admiral and take over from Adm. Philip Jones as first sea lord and chief of the naval staff.
- Air Marshal Michael Wigston will be promoted to air chief marshal and become chief of the air staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Steven Hillier.
- Lt. Gen. Patrick Sanders will be promoted to general and become the commander of Joint Forces Command in succession to Gen. Christopher Deverell.
- Britain will also get a new vice chief of the Defence Staff, with Vice Adm. Tim Fraser promoted to admiral and succeeding Gen. Gordon Messenger.
All of the promoted officers are relatively new to their current appointments. The two most recent are Wigston, who became deputy commander capability in August, and Radakin, who took over as second sea lord in March.
Howard Wheeldon, an analyst and defense expert in the U.K., said the appointments were unexpected.
“While as surprised as anyone else that the defense secretary has seemingly passed over a generation of highly experienced senior officers, it could also be argued that — given that the service chiefs are responsible for running their own budgets and that those promoted are clearly to be considered financially as well as militarily savvy — that these appointments reflect how the military needs to adapt and change,” Wheeldon said.
Alex Ashbourne-Walmsley, of Ashbourne Strategic Consulting, said the appointments reflected a generational shift.
“It’s certainly not what people were expecting. Many people will see these as comparatively unknown officers who have taken a nontraditional path to the top job. For example, it’s very unusual for a second sea lord to make it to first sea lord,” she said.
Wheeldon noted that Wigston’s route to the top Royal Air Force position was rare.
“To move from the assistant chief of the air staff, which he was until July, to chief of the air staff next July is unprecedented in modern times,” he said.
The replacements will take effect next year as the present incumbents reach the end of their terms. (Source: glstrade.com/Defense News)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
07 Dec 18. USN Vice Adm. James J. Malloy for reappointment to the rank of vice admiral, and assignment as commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command; commander, Fifth Fleet; and commander, Combined Maritime Forces, in Bahrain. Malloy is currently serving as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans, and strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
01 Dec 18. Effective December 1st, Ms. Lisa Hershman, Deputy Chief Management Officer, will assume responsibilities as the Acting Chief Management Officer.
30 Nov 18. USAF MG Duke Z. Richardson for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. Richardson is currently serving as Air Force program executive officer for presidential airlift recapitalization, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
03 Dec 18. Naval Group strengthens its partnership with the Egyptian Navy for the next five years. On December 3rd, at EDEX (Egypt Defense and Security Exhibition), Naval Group signs an agreement with the Egyptian Navy. This milestone marks a new step in the long-term strategic partnership between Naval Group and the Egyptian Navy. Naval Group is proud to serve the Egyptian Navy. The fruitful relationship between Naval Group and the Egyptian Navy is celebrated after a new positive step achieved with the successful conclusion dated 3rd of December of the contractual discussions on the In Service Support (ISS) program over the next five- year maintenance of the vessels provided by Naval Group. This agreement lays ground to the contract framing the maintenance activity related to the Naval Group’s vessels sold to Egypt. This activity will be managed through a new Naval Group subsidiary based in Alexandria developing the competences of high-skilled Egyptian employees. The maintenance activity will enhance further the successful industrial cooperation program supporting the construction process of the three locally built Gowind corvettes. The signature of the agreement constitutes one more step in Naval Group’s long-term partnership with Egypt. In July 2014, the Ministry of Defense of the Arab Republic of Egypt signed a construction of four Gowind corvettes. The first of class was built in Lorient and delivered to Egypt on September 2017. The second of the series is currently built through technology transfer in Alexandria Shipyard and was launched in September 2018. Naval Group delivered the Fremm multi mission frigate Tahya Misr in August 2015. In June 2016, Naval Group delivered two Mistral-class Landing Helicopter Dock vessels to the Egyptian Navy.
04 Dec 18. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Airbus have signed an agreement to jointly explore opportunities to meet the growing demand for aerial refueling for U.S. defense customers. The companies will seek to provide aerial-refueling services to address any identified capacity shortfall and to meet requirements for the next generation of tankers capable of operating in the challenging environments of future battlespace.
“Reliable and modernized aerial refueling is an essential capability for our customers to maintain their global reach and strategic advantage,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson. “By combining the innovation and expertise of Airbus and Lockheed Martin, we will be well-positioned to provide the United States Air Force with the advanced refueling solutions needed to meet 21st century security challenges.”
“The U.S. Air Force deserves the best aerial-refueling technology and performance available under the sun and this great industry team, Lockheed Martin and Airbus, will offer exactly that,” said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO.
The companies are taking a cooperative approach, with the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) at its heart, to examine a broad spectrum of opportunities. These may range from ways to support critical near-term air-refueling needs, such as a fee-for-service structure to conceptualizing the tanker of the future.
Airbus Defence and Space Head of Military Aircraft Fernando Alonso said, “The A330 MRTT has been selected by a dozen nations around the world. It is extensively proven in live operations and has been repeatedly praised by major air forces. We are convinced that the combination of Airbus’ tanker expertise with Lockheed Martin’s extensive U.S. presence, has the potential to provide highly effective solutions for current and future U.S. military aerial refueling requirements.”
Lockheed Martin has a long and successful history of systems integration, manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations with large airlift and tanker aircraft. When combined with Airbus expertise in this competitive space, the two companies will field a strong team to address future air refueling needs.
“Airbus is an industry leader in the aerial refueling area, and Lockheed Martin is known for cutting-edge defensive technologies and capabilities,” said Michele Evans, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “This is a great opportunity for our two companies to combine our expertise – cooperating to develop world-class solutions for critical needs around the world.”
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
05 Dec 18. TERMA Announces New President & CEO. At present, Jes Munk Hansen holds a position as CEO for Osram USA and Head of Osram Global Sales Function. He joined the Osram Group in 2013. Osram is a global leader within semiconductor-based light solutions, primarily for the car and electronics industries. In Osram, he has held a number of executive posts, including CEO for the Americas region. During 2015-2017, he was CEO of Ledvance, an Osram spin-off which was established as an independent company as a consequence of the development within LED lighting. The company comprises the entire supply chain from development and production to sales and marketing and had at the time of establishment 9,000 employees, sales in 120 countries, and an annual revenue of approx. EUR2bn. Before joining Osram, Jes Munk Hansen served 13 years in Grundfos, initially as Director, Group eBusiness. The following six years, he was Group Senior Vice President and globally responsible for the business unit Dosing and Disinfection. In 2008, he became President and CEO of Grundfos North America where he led the establishment of a local R&D center and the acquisition of several companies. Jes Munk Hansen holds a Master of Science in Forestry from Copenhagen University (1995) and an MBA from London Business School (1997).
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
07 Dec 18. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today that its board of directors has elected Lucy C. Ryan corporate vice president, communications, effective Jan. 1, 2019. She will report to Kathy J. Warden, the company’s chief executive officer and president, and she will serve as a member of the company’s Corporate Policy Council. In her new role, Ryan will be responsible for the Corporation’s worldwide communications strategy and execution, including media relations, employee communications, advertising, digital communications, executive communications and branding/corporate image.
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