Job Details DragonFire Weapon System Integration Lead R20719

DragonFire has been and continues to be a boundary pushing weapon system development programme that has significant industry and customer engagement. Thus far the programme has been aimed at developing the UKs first LDEW concept demonstrator, achieving significant success recently with several highly publicised trials activities.

Following on from these successes MBDA is looking for dynamic and motivated candidates to continue to develop DragonFire into a world class, deployable, LDEW air defence system. Our ambitious plans involve parallel and interleaved streams of pioneering technology experimentation and rapid weapon system development, providing opportunities across the key weapon system domains of Systems Engineering, Physical Design, Platform Integration and Trials & Testing.

An opportunity has arisen to join the Integration and Systems Validation (ISV) team supporting the DragonFire project. The ISV team has successfully delivered three demonstration trials of this technology. Now there is an opportunity to join the team to support on-going demonstration, platform integration and qualification trials.

The specific role is to manage the pre-trial DragonFire Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) phase for the next major firing trial campaign. This will require the ability to work with a multi-company team to integrate subsystem and software upgrades into the current DragonFire equipment and conduct the associated pre-trial proving work.

You will be responsible for:

• Developing a pioneering LDEW integration and proving facility at MBDA Thurleigh.


• Working with the weapon system design team to develop a coherent assembly, integration and test (AIT) programme.


• Owning and coordinating the AIT working group, including management of both internal and external key partners.


• Managing the day to day operations within the facility working alongside the rest of the DragonFire team and partner organisations.


• [Potential] Define, design and build support equipment such as lab test equipment and jigs.


Following the successful integration phase you will also be given the opportunity to directly support the weapon system deployment to trials and apply your newly developed expertise at future high power laser engagement and firing trials., The role will require both off site practical work and "office-type" planning work in varying proportions over the lifetime of the project.

Additional AIT activities may need to be conducted at other UK based locations such as Farnborough and Edinburgh. These will typically require multiple overnight stays.

A Major Weapon System Trial is planned to be held at the MOD Benbecula Range over a period of approximately 6-8 weeks. Due to the remote location regular return travel is challenging and team members must be willing to remain in the Hebrides for multiple weeks at a time (noting that efforts will be made to ensure a healthy work-life balance is maintained across the team).
Our Business:

We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential.

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process. We also welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), Twitter (@MBDAcareers), Instagram (lifeatMBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Please Note: MBDA UK Limited requires all employees to achieve the required medical and national security clearance for their role. Further restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may also apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team!

Due to the nature of our business, this particular vacancy requires the applicant as a minimum to be a British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship and capable of achieving the clearance levels mentioned above!
#LI-SD1, Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays., We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.

An enthusiastic engineer with the following characteristics:

• Experience of planning and conducting both physical and functional test activities.


• Good appreciation of different organisations' work cultures.


• Experience of managing the health and safety aspects of practical activities.


• The MBDA AIT facility is located at MBDA Thurleigh and will require you to travel to this location on a regular basis.


• [Desirable] Experience of working with laser equipment.


• [Desirable] Mechanical and/or electrical design skills.


• [Desirable] Computer scripting skills e.g. Python.
  
  MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom., We're proud to be a nationally recognised employer at MBDA. We have received a range of employer awards including Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2022; Gold awards from Investors in People, the 5% Club, and Armed Forces Covenant. We are also currently ranked #1 in the UK's Best Big Companies to Work For 2022 league table, as well as #1 for Manufacturing.
  
  Company bonus of up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)


• Pension of maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%


• Annual salary review


• Paid overtime


• Up to 15 days flexi leave


• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase)


• Our enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.


• Possible relocation available


• Fantastic site facilities, including subsidised meals, free car parking and more


• Excellent career progression and development opportunities


Hybrid working pattern: Where possible, we will seek to accommodate a blended approach to on-site and remote working.
The opportunity, This increases to 26 days after 10 years of service and 27 days after 30 years. You can enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll., We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave.

Our enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.

We also offer 2 weeks enhanced pay for paternity leave, and neonatal care leave for up to 12 weeks where a period of extended hospital care is required after birth. Employees also have access to support whilst undergoing fertility testing and treatments.

Discounts and Vouchers

Discounts and Vouchers

We offer a choice of two dining and lifestyle cards so you can save money at restaurants, cinema, days out and more as a member. You will have access to hundreds of discounts and rewards on a wide range of retailers, restaurants and entertainment options.

Our rewards portal also offers access to a range of cashback benefits and discounted purchases with partner retailers.

Gym Memberships

Gym Memberships

Keep fit for less with our on-site gym located at Stevenage, without breaking the bank.

We also offer discounted fees at over 3,500 gyms nationwide, with memberships paid via payroll.

Pension Scheme

Pension Scheme

Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a 'Defined Contribution' plan in the Mercer Master Trust, administered by Scottish Widows.

The standard contributions are 4% of an employee's base salary and 6% employer contributions. You can increase both employee and employer contributions by up to 2%., We know money matters in life, so we want to make sure our employees are both paid what they deserve, and also have access to resources that can help them plan for the future.

Through selected partnerships, we offer a range of free seminars, held throughout the year, to help you make good financial decisions for now and the future.

Extracurricular Learning Budget

Extracurricular Learning Budget

You can receive up to £150 towards the cost of approved courses each year including group language lessons.

Health and Dental Insurance

Health and Dental Insurance

Cover you and your family with the option to select our six levels of dental cover. You can choose to visit NHS or private dentists and the cost is deducted through payroll.

We've teamed up with AXA PPP to offer a selection of private healthcare plans, deductible from your net pay, for you and your family., Development of our people is of vital importance to us at MBDA, which is why we ensure everyone has access to the teams, tools and resources needed to achieve their goals. This includes our dedicated in-house Learning & Development team, our Apprenticeship programmes, a variety of online learning platforms, and much more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time.

If you lead a team, or hope to do so in the future, we offer a range of management training opportunities, with paths designed for people of all experience levels.

Dynamic Working

We want our people to work when and where they feel they can be most effective. For most of our employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued.

For roles that do not have to be based on one of our sites full-time, you will have opportunities to work from home as part of your agreed Dynamic Working arrangement.

If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.

Security Clearance

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.