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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Systems Engineer - **Company:** PerkinElmer, Inc. - **Location:** High Wycombe, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Adobe InDesign, Data Analysis, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Signal Processing, Software Requirements Analysis - **Published:** July 16, 2026 - **Apply:** https://newperkinelmer.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/High-Wycombe/Systems-Engineer_REQ-057943/apply ## About the Role Essential * Degree in Physics or an engineering discipline. * Substantial experience in the design, verification and troubleshooting of high-precision electro-mechanical or scientific instrumentation. * Experience working within a structured product-development programme, with a quality-by-design approach. * Proven ability to assess technical risk, recognise failure modes, and design and conduct experiments to verify performance. * Strong data analysis and report-writing skills; proficient with software for data collection and analysis. * Proven ability to plan a programme of work and drive it to completion. Preferred * Postgraduate qualification in an engineering or physical science discipline. * Experience with thermal analysis instrumentation (DSC, TGA), FT-IR or UV-Visible spectroscopy, including infrared detectors and associated pre-amplifier design. * Knowledge of optics, control system modelling or signal processing. * Formal training in FMEA and familiarity with structured product design methodologies. * Experience mentoring or technically leading small teams. ## Description Provide senior systems engineering leadership within a multidisciplinary R&D team developing complex, high-precision optical and thermal analysis instrumentation. The role owns system-level design and specification for assigned programmes - developing a deep understanding of how the products are used, the underlying technology and the drivers of performance, reliability and cost - and leads design verification from planning through execution. The emphasis is on quality by design and up-front analysis rather than design evolution; the Senior Systems Engineer is expected to guide less experienced engineers and drive technical problem-solving to conclusion., 1. System design and architecture * Lead concept development and system-level design for new products and major platform changes. * Contribute design calculations and modelling across optical, mechanical, electronic, thermal or algorithmic aspects of the system, depending on project needs. * Understand product performance parameters at system and sub-system level, and how design choices affect performance, reliability and cost. * Reduce technical risk early through analysis, prototyping and structured experimentation. 2. Requirements and specification * Develop and document high-level functional and performance requirements from customer and business needs. * Decompose system requirements into detailed, testable sub-system specifications. * Maintain requirements traceability from customer need through to verification evidence. * Specify the software, fixtures and test equipment required for verification activities. 3. Design verification * Define the verification strategy and author test plans for prototype evaluation and design-verification builds. * Design and conduct experiments to test product performance and the performance of manufacturing fixtures; work with external test houses where required. * Use knowledge of potential failure modes to design experiments that verify design assumptions as well as system performance. * Analyse experimental data and produce clear summary reports that support design decisions and gate reviews. 4. Product quality and root cause analysis * Generally and proactively promote product quality. * Lead root cause investigation of selected manufacturing and field failures and drive remedial actions to conclusion. * Liaise with Manufacturing and Service to understand quality issues; identify and specify manufacturing test and QA fixtures and processes. 5. Collaboration and mentoring * Work within multifunctional project teams, directing troubleshooting internally and with consultants and suppliers. * Actively participate in design reviews across engineering disciplines. * Guide and mentor junior engineers in test planning, execution and interpretation of results. First 90 days * Build a working understanding of the product range, key performance parameters and current development programmes. * Establish relationships across the R&D team, Manufacturing and Service. * Take ownership of requirements definition and verification planning for an assigned programme. * Review current verification practices and identify opportunities to strengthen quality by design. ## Related Videos - [Strange New Worlds: shaping the future of the digital age](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/677-strange-new-worlds-shaping-the-future-of-the-digital-age) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Perfect Pitch: Unveiling the Mathematical Symphony Behind a Guitar Tuner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1095-perfect-pitch-unveiling-the-mathematical-symphony-behind-a-guitar-tuner) - [The Billion Dollar Machine: First Time Right.](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/393-the-billion-dollar-machine-first-time-right) - [Data Science on Software Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/162-data-science-on-software-data) - [The age of agency: When products start to think and act](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1925-the-age-of-agency-when-products-start-to-think-and-act) ## Related Articles - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [Top Characteristics of a Software Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/166-top-characteristics-of-a-software-engineer) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Software Engineer Career: Things You Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/143-software-engineer-career-things-you-should-know) - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk)