Systems Engineer
Location: ON-SITE-Loanhead, Edinburgh
Flexible Working Options – 4- or 5-day week
Contract: Permanent
Join Our Team: System Engineer
MacTaggart Scott is looking for a talented System Engineer to join our Design team and play a key role in delivering technically excellent engineering solutions within the marine defence sector. Reporting to the Principal Engineer, you will lead the technical aspects of equipment projects and act as a vital link between engineering teams, project management, and our customers.
This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex engineering programmes from proposal through to project execution, ensuring technical solutions are robust, compliant, and meet customer requirements. You’ll work collaboratively across the business while influencing technical decisions and driving high-quality project outcomes.
About Us
For over a century, MacTaggart Scott has supported the Naval Defence sector by delivering integrated engineering solutions — from early-stage analysis and design to manufacturing, commissioning, and long-term through-life support. Established in 1898, our reputation is built on engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
What is the Job About?
As a System Engineer, you will take ownership of the engineering aspects of equipment projects, ensuring that product solutions are technically sound, cost-effective, and aligned with customer requirements.
Working with minimal supervision and closely alongside Principal Engineers and the Engineering Design Manager, you will coordinate technical inputs across the design process, manage engineering risks and requirements, and ensure effective communication with both internal teams and customers.
Success in this role is measured by delivering technically compliant solutions, managing requirements and risks effectively, maintaining strong stakeholder relationships, and contributing to projects that are delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest engineering standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the engineering aspects of equipment projects, ensuring technical compliance and quality across all deliverables.
- Translate customer requirements into clear engineering work packages for project teams.
- Assess technical risks and support risk mitigation activities throughout the design process.
- Review, check, and authorise engineering documentation.
- Work closely with the Project Manager to support effective budget and schedule management.
- Act as the primary technical contact for customers, ensuring clear communication and high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Provide technical engineering input during the proposal and bid stages.
- Manage requirements verification and validation in collaboration with the Acceptance and Test department.
- Capture and integrate lessons learned from projects to improve future engineering performance.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering department.
About You
You are a proactive and technically capable engineer who enjoys solving complex problems and leading technical work within multidisciplinary teams. You communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and are comfortable working in a customer-facing environment.
You take pride in delivering high-quality engineering work, managing technical risks, and influencing project outcomes through sound engineering judgement.
Requirements
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Technical expertise in mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical engineering.
- Proven experience leading technical projects or engineering teams.
- Strong problem-solving skills with an innovative and flexible approach to work.
- Experience producing and reviewing engineering documentation.
- Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience working in a customer-facing role.
- Intermediate or higher proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Desirable
- Experience within subsea or marine engineering environments.
- Awareness of military environmental requirements, including standards relating to shock, noise and vibration, electromagnetic compatibility, and externally generated vibration.
- Experience using 3D modelling software such as PTC Creo.
- Security clearance (SC level) or the ability to obtain it.
Qualifications
Essential
BSc or BEng in a relevant Engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic or similar).
Desirable
- MEng in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards it.
Additional Information
- As part of this role, the successful candidate will be required to meet Ministry of Defence security clearance requirements.
Benefits
Your Future at MacTaggart Scott – What We Offer
- Flexible Working: Choose a 4- or 5-day week with flexible hours (07:00–19:00, core hours 09:30–15:30).
- Comprehensive Leave Policy including annual leave, paid parental leave, and military reservist leave.
- Career Development & Learning Support through our dedicated Learning and Development team.
- Wellbeing Programmes including an Employee Assistance Programme, online wellbeing resources, and onsite nurse.
- Health & Lifestyle Benefits such as life insurance, sick pay, free flu jabs, and a cycle-to-work scheme.
- Financial & Recognition Rewards including a company pension and a generous employee referral scheme.
- Convenience & Facilities: free onsite parking, canteen, and employee discounts.