C4I Software Systems Engineering & Integration SME

C4I Software Systems Engineering & Integration SME Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Contract: Initial 12-month assignment, with potential long-term extension Salary: USD 100,000 to USD 120,000 base salary per annum, dependent on experience Additional package: Accommodation, visa and Iqama sponsorship, mobilisation and rotation flights, medical insurance and local transport Anticipated start: October 2026 The Opportunity VETWORK is supporting a specialist defence advisory programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is seeking an experienced C4I Software Systems Engineering & Integration SME. The successful candidate will join a client-side programmes team supporting a portfolio of defence capability acquisition and modernisation projects. The role will focus on the engineering and integration of C4I, C2 and battle-management software systems across tactical networks, platform hardware and wider operational environments. This is a technical advisory position requiring strong systems-engineering capability, practical integration experience and the ability to translate operational needs into clear requirements, interfaces, specifications and procurement documentation. Key Responsibilities Engage with military, programme and technical stakeholders to understand operational concepts, capability needs and system constraints. Define, refine and validate user, system and interface requirements. Maintain requirements traceability across the system lifecycle. Develop Statements of Work, technical specifications and technical evaluation criteria. Support the preparation of RFI, RFP and RFQ documentation. Advise on the architecture and integration of C4I, C2 and battle-management software systems. Support software-to-software and software-to-hardware integration activities. Define and review interfaces, data exchanges, middleware and interoperability requirements. Support the integration of C4I applications onto ruggedised hardware, tactical networks and platform systems. Provide advice on secure architectures, information assurance, accreditation and cross-domain considerations. Support engagement with systems integrators, OEMs and software suppliers. Evaluate technical proposals and contribute to structured scoring, down-selection and technical recommendations. Participate in design reviews, integration reviews, risk assessments and technical governance. Support verification, validation, integration-lab and acceptance-testing activities. Work across multiple concurrent projects within a multidisciplinary programmes team. Required Experience Approximately 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in C4I, C2, battle-management or defence software systems engineering and integration. Demonstrable experience supporting defence systems acquisition, software integration or capability-modernisation programmes. Strong working knowledge of C4I software environments, including: C2 servers GIS and common operational picture services messaging middleware databases client applications Experience integrating systems through APIs and open standards, including REST, SOAP, message brokers or equivalent technologies. Familiarity with military interoperability standards and data models such as: NVG JC3IEDM MIP ADatP-3 APP-11 or comparable standards Experience with software-to-hardware integration across tactical platforms, ruggedised equipment, radio bearers and deployed networks. Understanding of secure defence architectures, system accreditation concepts and cross-domain considerations. Experience supporting land, maritime or airborne platform integration. Familiarity with integration laboratories, test harnesses, verification and validation processes. Strong technical writing skills, particularly in relation to requirements, interface definitions, Statements of Work and evaluation reports. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary programmes team. Fluent written and spoken English. Desirable Experience Previous experience working within the GCC or wider Middle East. Experience advising ministries of defence, armed forces or government acquisition organisations. Exposure to NAF, DoDAF, MODAF, MBSE or related systems-architecture frameworks. Experience with tactical communications, tactical datalinks or battlefield-management systems. Arabic language capability. Current or previous defence security clearance. Candidate Profile This position is intended for a genuine C4I software systems engineer or integration specialist, rather than solely a software developer, operator or IT support professional. Strong candidates will be able to demonstrate experience across software integration, system interfaces, deployed hardware, tactical networks, secure environments and formal defence acquisition processes. You should be comfortable working with operational users, engineers, programme teams, systems integrators and OEMs. Mandatory Qualifications and Experience Minimum 7 years’ relevant experience in C4I, C2, battle-management or defence software systems engineering and integration. Demonstrable experience integrating software systems through APIs, middleware, military data models or open standards. Proven experience with software-to-hardware integration in defence or similarly secure operational environments. Experience defining system requirements, interfaces, technical specifications and Statements of Work. Experience supporting defence acquisition, vendor evaluation or technical proposal assessment. Strong understanding of secure architectures, information assurance and system accreditation principles. Excellent written and spoken English. Eligible for KSA employment sponsorship and able to meet all client vetting requirements. Desirable Qualifications Degree or equivalent professional qualification in software engineering, computer science, systems engineering, electronic engineering or a related discipline. INCOSE, Chartered Engineer, IET, BCS or equivalent professional accreditation. Formal training or certification in systems engineering, software integration or defence architecture. Current or previous defence security clearance. Eligibility and Mobility Candidates must: be willing and able to relocate to Riyadh be eligible for KSA employment sponsorship and an Iqama be able to satisfy all client security, background and vetting requirements be available to mobilise within approximately four weeks of a confirmed offer Application Process Please apply with an up-to-date CV clearly demonstrating your experience in: C4I or C2 software systems systems integration APIs, middleware and interoperability military data standards software-to-hardware integration secure defence architectures requirements engineering technical specifications and Statements of Work defence acquisition support OEM or vendor technical evaluation Applications that do not demonstrate relevant defence software systems-engineering and integration experience are unlikely to progress.