Systems Engineer

We Go Beyond for A Safer World

Background

Tait Communications is a global leader in designing and delivering critical communications solutions which are the right fit for a variety of industries including: public safety agencies; government services; utilities; extractive industries and urban transport providers. Across the world, users of Tait products and services are better able to protect themselves and the public, be more responsive and more productive.

While several corporate functions are based in Christchurch, New Zealand, the company prides itself on its international customer base and global support network. The company works with a network of sales offices, dealers, system integrators and consultants that spans the globe.

Customers around the world turn to Tait for developing products, migrating systems, customising features, configuring networks, training users, engineering support, and installation services. Customers commit to Tait because its people have a proven track record of taking the time to listen, understand and act upon customer requirements.

Scope of Role

Systems Engineers support the business by applying their technical knowledge, analytical capability, interpersonal skills, and business acumen to engagements at any stage of the customer solution lifecycle – developing sales proposals, designing systems and solutions, supporting system implementation, and providing professional consulting services.

The TELSE Sales & System Engineering group within Services provides subject-matter expertise, backup technical capacity, and a conduit into the Christchurch-based Tait organisation for customer-facing teams in regional offices.  It is expected that the Systems Engineer role will engage in a mix of ad-hoc sales support activity and assigned customer project work for regional teams.  From time to time the role will work directly with customers.  It is critical that the customer perceives Tait to be a responsive, innovative, competent, and professional organisation.  How the Systems Engineer behaves and communicates with colleagues and customers will drive a large part of that perception.

The Systems Engineering role requires a broad understanding of communication systems and the ability to work across multiple technical disciplines.  In addition, excellent written and spoken communications skills, and a positive attitude to doing what is required to achieve an excellent outcome for internal and external customers are a must. The role,

Although base in the UK, will provide sales support to the entire TEMA region so frequent travel will

be required including driving overseas.

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Functional Outcomes

Assist Regions to Sell Products and Solutions

• Responds to enquiries in a professional manner, within agreed timeframes.

• Evaluates requirements and provides input to the bid review process.

• Provides technical response to tenders and requirements, including designs and detailed clause by clause response.

• Applies systematic methods to analyse requirements and specify solutions, using planners and tools where available.

• Provides quotes and proposals, in collaboration with relevant subject-matter experts and responsible delivery parties.

• Provides well-documented and consistent solutions that will meet customer needs.

• Acts as the technical lead for responses or parts of larger responses when required.

• Provides input and support for commercial decisions, budgeting etc.

• Assists the Commercial Manager to ensure contract wording is consistent with the technical solution and the division of technical responsibility.

Project Engineering

• Interact with customers and staff in a positive and professional manner, considering our values of commitment to listen, courage to act and integrity to deliver what we promise.

• Clarify/elaborate and validate customer requirements, including contribution to preparation of Requirements Specification documents.

• Specify and evaluate designs, scope/estimate work, and own delivery of assigned work across one or more of the following:

• Radio networks and network architecture

• Traffic analysis and capacity design

• RF systems, including frequency planning, coverage, site RF engineering

• System availability and reliability

• Wireless, fixed linking, and backhaul networks, including IP

• IT systems and system security

• Power and grounding systems

• Integration, selection, and qualification of OEM components

• Radio terminals and user equipment

• Design, planning, execution, and supervision of testing

• Deliver designs, plans, reports etc. to the required standards

• Produce documentation and specifications for customers and internal use

• Maintain documentation, so that it remains current and can be contributed to or referenced by others

• Contribute to review of technical documentation, customer manuals and training, as required

• Undertake any other related project work as may be agreed from time to time, including assisting or leading others

Implements Solutions

• Liaise with specialists to solve problems

• Produce sketches of solutions, illustrating how components are to be installed.

• Source third party products to provide systems solutions and to evaluate the products.

• Document requirements and derive strategies for managing third party products and suppliers.

• Liaise with Development and Product Managers for upgrades (with both hardware and software) to meet requirements.

Manages own personal development

• Keep abreast of changes in technology.

• Undertake and attends both internal and external courses to keep up-skilled in both technology and sales software tools.

• Work with other Systems Engineers across the group to learn new technology subjects and help grow confidence and commercial acumen.

Team Member Responsibilities

In consultation with your Manager you will:

• Ensure you understand your roles and responsibilities

• Establish clear goals and outcomes, ensuring these are aligned to team or project needs

• Take ownership for delivering assigned elements

• Monitor and report progress, taking appropriate action to address exceptions

Reporting Relationships

Reports to:

Engineering Manager (Services)

Reporting Roles:

No direct reports

Peers:

Other Tait staff in Regions (Account Managers, Engineers, Project Managers) and in Christchurch (TELSE, Support Services, Product Managers, Product Development)

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Occupational Safety and Health

All staff have an obligation to follow Tait policy and procedures. It is imperative that all employees actively participate in managing risks and hazards, reporting accidents, incidents and near accidents, and avoiding any action which may cause harm to yourself or others. This includes:

• Working in a safe manner to protect yourself, your fellow workers and all plant, property and equipment.

• Only operating equipment for which you have been trained and / or instructed in and hold appropriate authorisations for, or with specific supervision.

• Cooperating with all displayed rules, safety regulations, instructions, policies and procedures.

• Keeping your work area or equipment clean and tidy and maintaining a high level of housekeeping.

• Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

• Ensuring no acts or omissions while at work causes harm to yourself or any other person.

• Being familiar with all emergency equipment in your work area and all work-site emergency procedures.

• Not wilfully interfering with or misusing items or facilities provided in the interest of safety.

• Reporting all workplace illnesses, injuries and incidents as soon as possible using the reporting form and taking all reasonable action to eliminate their recurrence.

• Reporting any hazardous condition, situation or event.

Person Specification

Relevant competencies

Organised

Sets priorities through thinking about the implications of issues for customers and Tait