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Job – Systems Integration and Test Engineer – EVO in Pontypool
Location: Pontypool NP4, UK
Salary: £325 – £350 Per day
Job type: Contract
Category: Defence Engineering
Job Reference: EMP389370
Posted on: 12 Dec 2018
About the Role:
Systems Integration Engineer:
Purpose of Position
This role is for an engineer who is part of a team responsible for system integration and test activity to support design certification, assurance and acceptance for the EvO System. EvO is the first phase of the MORPHEUS program, which includes the transformation of BCIP to an open and flexible technical and business architecture.
Individuals in this role will carry out system integration with hardware & software components in a Tactical C4I System, define & execute test cases, and carry out problem solving to identify defects and provide assurance & acceptance evidence for the system.
System Integration and Test Teams 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.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of appropriate integration and test plans
- Support detailed planning to successfully execute integration and test activity
- Define test requirements, specifications, procedures and scripts with reference to system and product specification, design and use cases
- Execute defined integration activities
- Execute tests and manage test results and associated data
- Support the production of test reports and associated test conclusions
- Support status reporting of integration and test activities.
- Support build and test automation activity as well as the continuous improvement of integration and testing processes, procedures and tools.
- Carry out integration and test activity within the SAFe Agile Framework program
- Broad competence in Systems Integration and Test – Significant experience and depth of understanding across the discipline, practicing as an SI&T engineer on a complex development program
- Ability to carry out SI&T activity leading or as part of a team
- Understanding and experience of developing Tactical C4I Systems; knowledge of the BCIP system is highly desirable.
- Understanding of tactical network infrastructures including networks, radios, routers, switches and system management considerations
- Ability to orient issues within Internet and OSI-layered communications models – good understanding of messaging and routing protocols, TCP/IP, UDP, including those applicable to wireless and wired environments
- Technical awareness of electrical, mechanical and computer systems hardware including knowledge of commercial IT architecture and technologies
- Proven methodical analytic fault finding skills – comfortable working in a technical laboratory while adhering to lab rules e.g. safe handling, equipment tracking and ESD
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Proficient in use of Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel and Visio. Ability to generate well-structured technical documents and manage through a review process to achieve release to committed deadlines. Ability to present formally at progress reviews and contribute productively in the team and with external UK MoD and other stakeholders.
Education/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
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Gattaca Plc provides support services to Matchtech and may assist with processing your application.
LOCATIONS
LAND
12 Dec 18. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today that its Innovation Systems sector operations in Mesa completed the expansion of its Bushmaster® medium caliber cannon production facility. The new 36,000 square foot facility nearly doubles the company’s current production capacity by collocating warehouse and manufacturing operations into one site.
“The city of Mesa is proud that Northrop Grumman chose to expand in the Falcon District,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said. “This new facility will bring more high-tech jobs to Mesa’s growing aerospace and defense industry.”
The Mesa-based operation produces the world-renowned Bushmaster® family of medium caliber cannons that provide the U.S. military and its allies with proven, highly reliable weapons for air, land and sea combat platforms. The company has either installed or is on contract to provide its cannons to more than 50 nations globally.
“This expansion will help us meet today’s surging demand for our cannons while also addressing future growth requirements as U.S. and allied militaries are increasing their current defense capabilities in response to worldwide threats,” said Lisa Brown, vice president, site operations, Northrop Grumman.
The Mesa-based operation employs more than 200 full time employees and since the project’s groundbreaking in March has begun the hiring of an additional 50 to 60 new engineering, program management and manufacturing technicians as a result of the company’s increased production capacity.
MARITIME
12 Dec 18. US Navy Christened Littoral Combat Ship St. Louis. The US Navy christened its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS St. Louis (LCS 19), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, Dec. 15, in Marinette, Wisconsin. The future USS St. Louis, designated LCS 19, honors Missouri’s major port city along the Mississippi River. She will be the seventh ship to bear the name St. Louis. The first was a sloop of war, the second a Civil War gunboat, followed by a Spanish-American War-era steamer troop ship, a World War I cruiser, a World War II light cruiser, and a Cold War era attack cargo ship. The principal speaker was U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt from Missouri. Barbara Taylor, wife of Andy Taylor, chairman of Enterprise Holdings, will serve as the ship’s sponsor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, she will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.
“The future USS St. Louis honors not just the great city of St. Louis, Missouri, but also the skilled industrial workforce who built this ship,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “This christening marks the transition of USS St. Louis being a mere hull number to a ship with a name and a spirit, and is a testament to the increased lethality and readiness made possible by the combined effort between our industrial partners and the Navy and Marine Corps team.”
The future USS St. Louis is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments as well as the open-ocean. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. (Source: US DoD)
13 Dec 18. US Navy launches third Zumwalt-class destroyer, USS Lyndon B Johnson. The US Navy has launched its third and final Zumwalt-class (DDG 1000) guided-missile destroyer, future USS Lyndon B Johnson (DDG 1002), from General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Maine. The launch process involved moving the destroyer from the land level facility to the dry dock, which was then flooded until the vessel started floating. US Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships DDG 1000 programme manager captain Kevin Smith said: “It’s important for the DDG 1000 programme and shipyard to reach this major milestone.
“With the first two ships of the class underway, we are excited to continue the next phase of construction of the future Lyndon B Johnson.”
The vessel has been named in honour of the 36th US President, Lyndon B Johnson.
DDG 1002 prospective commanding officer captain Jeremy Gray said: “The crew of Lyndon B Johnson looks forward to bringing this great warship honouring our 36th president to life, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to be present for this important step in the ship’s construction.
“It is truly impressive to see the ship afloat in the Kennebec River for the first time and we look forward to taking her to the sea.”
Following its launch, the vessel will now undergo final outfitting and is due to be christened in the first quarter of 2019.
USS Lyndon B Johnson’s keel was laid in January 2017.
Designed for littoral and land attack operations, the Zumwalt-class multi-mission vessels feature advanced electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull and stealth design.
The destroyers can conduct area air surveillance, including over-land, throughout the sea-land interface, power projection, and command and control missions.
In February, the second Zumwalt-class destroyer, the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), concluded its acceptance trials.
Bath Iron Works shipyard is also constructing the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) and Carl M Levin (DDG 120). (Source: naval-technology.com)
13 Dec 18. Future submarine class named. Australia’s 12 future submarines will officially be known as the Attack Class when they enter service with the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2030s.
Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne said the first submarine would be called HMAS Attack and would enter operational service with the Navy early in the 2030s.
The Attack Class submarines will be delivered as part of the $50bn SEA 1000 program, which will see Naval Group deliver 12 regionally superior submarines to the Royal Australian Navy.
Naval Group’s successful Shortfin Barracuda design, which serves as the basis for the new Attack Class, is a conventionally powered variant of the nuclear powered Barracuda fast attack submarine currently under construction in France for the French Navy.
The Attack Class vessels will begin replacing the ageing Collins Class vessels at a time when 50 per cent of the world’s submarines will be operating in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The Attack Class represents the inherent stealth, long-range endurance and lethality of a submarine,” said Minister Pyne.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, said the Attack Class would provide Australia with a regionally superior submarine.
“The Attack Class will meet the Navy’s capability needs and help protect our security and prosperity for decades to come,” said VADM Noonan.
This is the second time the Royal Australian Navy has used the name Attack, with the name previously used for the class of Patrol Boats that served from 1967 to 1985.
“The future submarine project is a major part of the Naval Shipbuilding Plan, and it is appropriate that the class name be established now given the significant effort already underway to introduce this critical capability that will protect Australia’s security and prosperity for decades to come,” VADM Noonan said.
“The name Attack along with its motto ‘Never Waver’ captures the tradition of tenacity and determination within the Australian submarine service.”
Minister Pyne also confirmed that key negotiations between the Commonwealth and Naval Group as part of the strategic partnering agreement (SPA) had been successfully completed.
“I can also announce the negotiations between the Commonwealth and Naval Group on all key provisions of the SPA have been completed. I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this significant milestone,” he said.
Minister Pyne said the SPA would be formally signed in early 2019 and would govern the delivery of the Future Submarines over the decades to come.
“Work on the design of the Attack Class submarines will continue without interruption under the design and mobilisation contract, which was signed on 30 September 2016,” Minister Pyne added.
The full range of other activities required to deliver this major program, including the development of the submarine construction yard, and the ongoing engagement of Australian industry to achieve Australian sovereignty, are also continuing. (Source: Defence Connect)
10 Dec 18. Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 15, the future USS Billings, completed Acceptance Trials in the waters of Lake Michigan. This is the ship’s final significant milestone before delivery. LCS 15 is the eighth Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-led industry team, and is slated for delivery to the U.S. Navy next year.
“LCS 15 is the third ship we’ve taken through sea trials this year, and we are proud that the Navy will soon have another capable, lethal and affordable ship in the fleet,” said Joe DePietro, vice president and general manager, Small Combatants and Ship Systems, Lockheed Martin. “The industry team has hit its stride in serial production, and we’re producing increasingly capable ships in quick succession.”
The Freedom-variant LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals. The Lockheed Martin-led Freedom team is in full-rate production and is continuing to deliver for the Navy. The USS Sioux City (LCS 11) was commissioned in Annapolis, Maryland, Nov. 17.
The trials, included a full-power run, maneuverability testing, and surface and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship’s combat system. Major systems and features were demonstrated, including aviation support, small boat launch handling and recovery and machinery control and automation.
LCS is a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship, designed to support focused missions including mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. The Freedom-variant LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals.
“I am extremely proud of our LCS team including our shipbuilders at Fincantieri Marinette Marine,” said Jan Allman, Fincantieri Marinette Marine president and CEO. “These are complex vessels, and it takes a strong team effort to design, build and test these American warships.”
There are seven ships in various stages of production and test at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, where the Freedom-variant LCS is built. The next Freedom-variant in the class is LCS 17, the future USS Indianapolis, slated for sea trials in 2019. LCS 19 (St. Louis) is scheduled for christening and launch Dec. 15. Additionally, LCS 13 (Wichita) is scheduled for commissioning Jan. 12 in Jacksonville, Florida.
AIR
13 Dec 18. USAF’s 31st TES starts IOT&E phase for F-35 Lightning II. The US Department of Defense’s (DoD) F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft has started the initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) phase. The testing phase is being carried out by the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) from Edwards AFB, California, US.
31st TES commander lieutenant colonel Nicholas Ihde said: “The sorties consisted of seven F-35s performing both offensive counter air, suppression of enemy air defences and air attack operations. This marks an important milestone for the F-35 programme.”
Over 30 mission sorties will be conducted by the 31st TES F-35 pilots during the IOT&E phase, which will assess the complete air system and identify improvement aspects related to technical and operational areas.
About ten F-35 pilots, 145 maintainer’s and 11 engineers from the 31st TES will support the F-35 IOT&E phase.
The team will collaborate with the director of operational test and evaluation, Lockheed Martin, and the F-35 Joint Program Office to address issues that may be found during this phase.
Ihde added: “As the conduit between developmental test flights and combat missions, it is our duty to ensure this aircraft fulfils the need of the warfighter, (major command), and the American public.
“We must guarantee that we hand the combat airforce a product that has been tested with rigour and is ironed out. An advantage the 31st TES possesses is the pilot experience. Most of the pilots have over 1,500 flight hours in various fighter aircraft and previous operational test backgrounds lending vast experiences fall back on and reference in order to make this jet the best it can be.”
This phase marks an important development as its completion will allow the DoD to decide on the full-rate production while helping the US Navy to move ahead with an initial operating capability decision.
Built by prime contractor Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighter jet.
The fifth-generation fighter is available in three variants, including F-35B short take-off / vertical landing (STOVL), F-35C carrier, and F-35A commercial take-off and landing (CTOL). (Source: airforce-technology.com)
12 Dec 18. Panama receives King Air 350 aircraft. Panama’s National Naval-Air Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval: SENAN) has received a new Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft, the service announced on 7 December. The country’s Ministry of Security reported that the platform cost USD9.5 m and was financed with the funds retrieved by the Panamanian government from Finmeccanica (now Leonardo) over a controversial radar contract. SENAN added that the Beechcraft (serial AN-401) will expand its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, in addition to carrying out search-and-rescue operations. President Juan Carlos Varela stressed that the aircraft will be a key addition to the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime in the country. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Dec 18. Honduran armed forces receive donated aircraft. The Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Hondureña: FAH) has received five aircraft that will be used for security and relief operations in the Central American country, the Ministry of Defence announced on 6 December. The US has donated one Cessna 208B Grand Caravan FX light transport and liaison aircraft (serial FAH 021), which will be utilised for medical evacuations and humanitarian support. This is the third Cessna aircraft that the US has donated to Honduras, according to Defence Minister Fredy Santiago Díaz (the other two – serials FAH 019 and 020 – being transferred in 2015). (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Dec 18. Australian F-35s touch down. Defence Connect can confirm that the first two of Australia’s planned 72 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters have successfully landed at RAAF Base Williamtown for permanent basing following a series of flights across the Pacific. Both planes, pilots and doting parent – the Royal Australian Air Force – are doing fine as the nation welcomes its first two fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The delivery heralds the beginning of a new era for Australian air combat capability. The route saw A35-009 and A35-010 depart Luke Air Force Base in Arizona early last week, crossing the Pacific with a layover in Hawaii. On the homeward stretch to RAAF Base Amberley in southern Queensland from Hawaii, the F-35s were supported by in-air refuelling by Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Tankers. The aircraft made their final dash to RAAF Base Williamtown early this morning, wowing onlookers as they performed an aerobatic display with RAAF F/A-18 Hornets.
Multi-role, multi-domain capability
Defence Minister Christoper Pyne officially welcomed the fifth-generation jets: “This is the most advanced multi-role stealth fighter in the world. It will deliver next generation capability benefits and provide a major boost to our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The Joint Strike Fighter is the largest acquisition in the history of the Royal Australian Air Force, and is a key part of the government’s $200 bn build-up in defence capability.”
Fifth-generation fighter aircraft represent the pinnacle of modern fighter technology.
As a fifth-generation aircraft, the F-35 is a blend of all-aspect stealth even when armed, low-probability-of-intercept radar, high-performance airframes, advanced avionics and highly-integrated computer systems bringing a gods-eye view of the battlespace.
Greg Ulmer, vice president and general manager, F-35 program at Lockheed Martin told Defence Connect, “The aircraft is lethal, survivable and connected, which means it is a potent force multiplier. As a multi-role, multi-domain aircraft, the F-35 brings a transformational capability to Australia.”
Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Mike Kitcher, described the F-35 as providing a ‘quantum leap’ in capability for the Air Force.
Both the RAAF and the broader ADF will need to rewrite the operational, tactical and strategic doctrines that have held true for the better part of the last 75 years, he told Defence Connect.
“F-35 presents a quantum leap, not only in terms of operational realities, but also technologically. For Air Force in particular, but again also for the wider ADF, F-35 is a catalyst for developing a truly fifth-generation force,” AIRCDRE Kitcher said. (Source: Defence Connect)
07 Dec 18. Guatemala receives Grand Caravan from US. The Guatemalan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca: FAG) has received one Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX light transport and liaison aircraft donated by the US, the Guatemalan Ministry of Defence said on 4 November. A senior Guatemalan air force officer told Jane’s during a conference on responses to natural disasters at the Inter-American Defence Board in Washington, DC, that the aircraft (tail number 630) will be helpful for relief operations and evacuation missions. The officer noted that the aircraft could also be used by Guatemala’s humanitarian and search unit (Unidad Humanitaria y de Rescate: UHR). The Central American country is prone to natural disasters, the most recent of which was the 3 June eruption of the Fuego volcano by the Escuintla department that killed more than a hundred, with thousands having to be evacuated. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
12 Dec 18. USAF LG Arnold W. Bunch Jr. for appointment to the rank of general, and assignment as commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Bunch is currently serving as military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
12 Dec 18. Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) has appointed Alberto Gutiérrez, 56, Head of Military Aircraft within Airbus Defence and Space, effective 1 January 2019. He will report to Airbus Defence and Space Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dirk Hoke and become Member of the division’s Executive Committee. Furthermore, Alberto Gutiérrez will also serve as Head of Airbus Spain, overseeing the company’s overall business activities in the country. He succeeds Fernando Alonso, 62, who will retire after 40 years in the aerospace industry, thereof 37 at Airbus. Fernando Alonso will stay on until the end of March 2019 to ensure a smooth transition with his successor.
09 Dec 18. Satcom Direct, the business aviation solutions provider, has appointed Evgeniy Pashkov as regional director for EEMEA. In his new role, Evgeniy will oversee SD’s sales and business development activities in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and the CIS, from his Dubai base. Reporting into the SD International VP Michael Skou Christensen, his responsibilities will include retaining and growing SD’s market share, overseeing customer support services and expanding the service portfolio across the regions.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
10 Dec 18. General Electric Co (GE.N) on Monday elected Paula Rosput Reynolds to its board of directors, replacing John Brennan who had earlier announced his intention to retire. Reynolds, 62, is the chief executive of PreferWest LLC, a privately held business advisory firm, and currently serves as a director for Britain’s biggest defence company BAE Systems (BAES.L). Reynolds’ appointment is effective as of Dec. 7. (Source: Reuters)
10 Dec 18. Lockheed Martin’s board of directors has approved the appointment of Kenneth R. Possenriede, 58, as executive vice president and chief financial officer, succeeding Bruce L. Tanner, who intends to retire in mid-2019. Possenriede’s appointment is effective Feb. 11, 2019. Possenriede is currently vice president of Finance and Program Management at Aeronautics, where he is responsible for all aspects of the business area’s finances and program management processes, including accounting, contracts, business management, financial planning, scheduling and earned value.
12 Dec 18. SIG SAUER, Inc. announced that Jeff Powers has joined SIG SAUER as Vice President, Operations & Continuous Improvement. In this position Powers will work to streamline manufacturing operations and processes to increase productivity and oversee continuous improvement. Powers comes to SIG SAUER from Watts Water Technologies where he led the LEAN transformation of their flagship facility. Additionally, Powers spent seventeen years at Thermo Fisher Scientific where he was a driving force in several major productivity and continuous improvement programs. He is black belt certified in the Six Sigma methods of individual processes, holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership, and is certified in production inventory management and LEAN transformation.
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