Senior Security Systems Engineer - Physical Security
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Location | Birmingham OR London (Euston) with Hybrid Working |
| Area | London, UKMidlands, UK |
| Sector | High Speed Rail |
| Salary | £70,000 - £84,798 + Pen(6/12) + 25 hols + health |
| Start Date | |
| Advertiser | Charlton Recruitment |
| Telephone | 07881022741 |
| Job Ref | HS200264 |
| Job Views | 4 |
- Description
Location: London (Euston) or Birmingham Hybrid (3 days office)
Salary: London: £75,000 – £83,672 + 12% pensionBirmingham: £70,000 – £77,500 + 12% pension
Next step £90 - £99,000 (London) or £92,000 (Birmingham) + full package
Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior Security Systems Engineer to play a pivotal role in the definition, integration, and technical assurance of physical security systems across the High Speed Two (HS2) programme. Working directly for HS2, this role sits within the Central Engineering Function, forming part of the Telecoms Engineering Team.
This is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Physical Security Systems reporting to the Lead Security Systems Engineer, providing technical leadership across multiple HS2 delivery packages. You will be instrumental in delivering one of the largest and most complex integrated physical security systems in the UK, ensuring that systems are effectively designed, assured, integrated, and aligned to operational needs across the entire route.
The programme is transitioning from requirements definition into the design and build phase, with physical security systems being delivered through several major contracts, including Siemens, across four major stations, rail depots, and the full line of route. As delivery progresses, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong proficiency in project delivery disciplines—including design management, interface management, risk management, and change control—to ensure robust system integration, effective technical governance, and the protection of scope, performance, and whole-life value.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical assurance to ensure security system designs and constructed assets meet programme, operational, and regulatory requirements
- Define, manage, and resolve system integration and interface requirements across multiple work packages and third-party systems
- Coordinate closely with other engineering disciplines to ensure physical security systems are fully integrated into the wider railway system
- Support technical governance, risk management, issue resolution, and informed decision-making at programme level
- Support project delivery through design and construction, ensuring systems from multiple suppliers operate as a coherent, interoperable whole
- Influence whole-life performance, maintainability, and cost through strong technical definition and assurance
- Act as a trusted technical authority, providing confidence to internal stakeholders, delivery partners, and suppliers
Stakeholder Environment
The role operates within a complex, high-profile, and evolving programme environment. You will engage regularly with designers, contractors, suppliers, and client teams, requiring strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence across organisational boundaries. Success in this role depends on balancing technical excellence with pragmatic delivery and stakeholder alignment.
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience delivering and integrating physical security systems within complex, large-scale infrastructure or built environment projects (e.g. rail, airports, defence, utilities, large commercial estates)
- Strong technical knowledge of physical security systems, including CCTV/video surveillance, access control, intruder detection, and related technologies
- Solid understanding of project delivery processes, including design management, interface management, risk management, and change control
- Experience managing interfaces across multiple suppliers, contracts, and technologies
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a technical authority within multi-disciplinary engineering environments
- Experience providing technical assurance, governance input, and stakeholder confidence
- Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
- Understanding of commercial principles in project delivery, including scope control and change management
Candidate Profile
You will be a qualified senior engineer from the physical security industry with experience delivering and integrating large-scale security systems. Applications are welcomed from candidates with backgrounds in consultancy, client organisations, contractors, or manufacturers.
We are also open to technical project managers with a strong engineering foundation who can manage the demands, pace, and complexity of major infrastructure delivery while maintaining technical integrity.


