Dstl careers: Peter, senior systems engineer
Peter initially joined Dstl as a summer student while at university but enjoyed the environment so much he returned full time after graduating.
Peter works as a Lead Developer for one of Dstl’s business-critical models which provides system level advice for procurement and wargaming purposes.
His main role involves overseeing the design and implementation of new capabilities to models that allow the UK to have an advantage over its adversaries. This includes researching new models to implement, the best way implement new methodologies and enhancing the capability.
It was a great decision joining Dstl full time.
I work mostly from home developing modelling on a virtual machine, although there is still a need to go to the office to to carry out the work on classified networks and provide support to users. Much of my work is delivered through others with 3 internal developers supporting £1m worth of extra-mural research (EMR).
It really is important work, for example we have recently made our model capable of exploiting Dstl’s large High Performance Computer which will help us to run our model hundreds of times faster.
The diversity and flexibility of work is second to none. I am given the autonomy to carry out the work in way that I see fit.
The work sits on the cutting edge and pushes boundaries, but with a purpose - I refer to it as ‘Applied Research’ – you are still pushing the envelope and doing new things, but with clear impact.
Peter has set up a library to collate methods across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and industry. This is an important piece of work bringing everyone together to provide an effective way to share methods that we use to develop and improve the systems that MOD uses.
Bringing this coherence allows us to save money for the taxpayer and increase the quality of work produced by increasing the review process. This is exciting as it brings people together.
Working at Dstl has given me so many opportunities to grow myself and to carry out impactful, meaningful work. There is nowhere else where you really get this kind of satisfaction. I am able to present to international partners and work flexibly with industry and internal specialists.
See Dstl’s current vacancies