Systems Engineer

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.

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.

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)

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.

Confidentiality of Information

During and after your period of employment you have an obligation to not disclose Tait technological or business information to any persons or organisations if it is not directly relevant to the tasks you are performing for Tait. If you are ever in doubt about any confidentiality issue, first get permission from your manager before you act.

You are also obliged to not use or allow the use of Tait proprietary information in original or adapted form for work in a field that competes with or prejudices the interests of Tait.

Tait retains the rights to the intellectual property that you develop. (These aspects are more fully described in Appendix Two of the Tait Core Conditions of Employment.)

Non‑Limitation Clause

This job description is not intended to be a complete or limiting description of the functions that the employee may reasonably be requested to undertake.