Salaries and costs
Recruiters in Sussex regularly discuss pay rates for cleared roles, with permanent salaries for systems engineers often between £45,000 and £70,000, depending on clearance and avionics exposure. Programme and project leads can sit between £55,000 and £85,000, depending on scope, while contractor day rates for niche electronics or RF specialists are often in the £450-£700 range. Security and facilities roles with BPSS usually post between £24,000 and £35,000, with team leads moving into the low £40,000s. Talk with recruitment consultants about recruitment fees early, agree terms for temp-to-perm, and ask for a clear run-through of agency costs for large campaigns. Employers looking to hire staff across multiple sites should ask about volume discounts, while candidates can query overtime uplifts and on-call premia that affect take-home pay.
Qualifications and clearances
Many Sussex defence vacancies require BPSS as a baseline, with Security Check or Developed Vetting for sensitive projects. Engineers hold HNCs or degree-level qualifications in electronics, aerospace, software, or systems, with IRSE or IPC standards applied in niche build and test work. Security and policing support roles can require SIA licences and up-to-date first aid training. Recruiters and staffing agencies will flag expiry timelines, advise when to start renewals, and help job seekers register with an agency once identity and right-to-work checks are complete.
Regional and geographic variations
Crawley and the Manor Royal Business District pull in electronics, software, and test roles linked to Gatwick. Worthing and Littlehampton show demand for assembly, production support, and QA, with Shoreham’s airport and port adding logistics and aviation maintenance. Brighton and Hove bring cyber, data, and graduate pipelines, helped by commuter links on the A23, A27, and M23. Chichester offers access to workshops and storage for secure logistics, with reach into coastal patrol support on the West Sussex side. Local employers often ask for flexible start times that match shift patterns tied to airport movements and secure site access.
Hiring challenges
Clearance lead times and nondisclosure requirements limit the active talent pool. Executive search partners in Sussex report that mid-level systems engineers and FPGA specialists can be hard to move, as relocation from Surrey and Hampshire adds travel time and rent pressure. Recruiters help businesses find employees by building cleared benches, pre-booking medicals, and keeping compliance documents audit-ready. Employers can cut dropouts by sharing site maps, parking notes, and PPE lists early, and by agreeing on interview slots that suit shift workers.
Contract types and routes to hire
Defence recruiters in Sussex manage temporary, permanent, and contract work across engineering, logistics, and security. Temp agencies handle surge needs for stores, kitting, and testing, while employment firms place long-term hires into design, verification, and project control. Statement of work models appear on software and systems integration, with fixed milestones and named resources. Employers needing rapid ramp-ups can blend temp cover with a small core of permanent staff, then convert strong temps to permanent positions later. Candidates who want project variety often choose outside IR35 contracts where the role and working practices fit the rules.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Recruitment agencies fill roles for avionics test engineers, systems engineers, embedded software engineers, electronics design, FPGA, RF, and verification. On the operations side, you will see supply chain coordinators, configuration control, document controllers, and stores. Security-cleared administrators, helpdesk, and facilities teams keep secure sites running. Drivers with ADR or aviation apron training are used for port- and airport-linked moves.
Hard to fill positions
DV cleared software engineers, safety engineers with ARP4754A knowledge, and RF test leads remain hard to hire. Employers can widen shortlists by considering near-match candidates from rail signalling or aerospace MRO with related standards. Recruitment consultants can pre-brief candidates on site constraints and non-standard shifts, which helps retention during the first three months.
Key sectors and employers in the region
Sussex supports aerospace, avionics, maritime support, and secure logistics. The Gatwick Diamond catchment feeds design offices and labs that test sensors, mission systems, and communications. Ports and airfields raise demand for compliance-aware logistics planners and store leads. Local businesses value recruiters who understand export controls, ITAR checks, and tooling for small-batch, high-reliability builds.
Market snapshots and retention
The local labour market stays tight for mid-career engineers, with graduates entering through Brighton-based courses and Crawley commuter routes. Retention improves when hiring teams explain clearance timelines, provide transparent pay bands, and outline training on day one. Recruiters can arrange on-site inductions for new starters, line up mentors, and schedule early check-ins with HR. Jobseekers who register with an agency gain early sight of roles that never hit job boards, which is common on classified projects.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
Do Sussex recruiters handle BPSS and SC checks?
Yes, most agencies manage BPSS and help with SC packs, though final decisions rest with vetting authorities.
Can an employer request a cleared contractor for next week?
Yes, if the recruiter has a pre-cleared bench, though niche skills can still take time.
What are typical recruitment fees for permanent hires?
Many firms work between 15% and 22% of basic salary, with terms varying by volume and exclusivity.
Do temp agencies cover 24/7 secure sites?
Yes, many staffing agencies run out-of-hours lines and can rota security cleared temps.
How do I register with an agency as a jobseeker?
Bring photo ID, proof of address, right to work, and recent referees, then complete the compliance pack.
What commuter links help with site access across Sussex?
Most sites are near the A23, A27, M23, and Gatwick routes, with rail links to Brighton, Crawley, and Worthing.