Laser Systems - System Design Lead

MBDA is looking for flexible and motivated candidates to continue to develop DragonFire into a world class, deployable, LDEW air defence system

Job Title: Laser Systems - Systems Design lead

Salary: Circa £65,000 depending on experience

Location: Bristol

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may 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.

The opportunity:

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 Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) concept demonstrator, achieving significant success recently with several highly publicised trials activities.

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: requirements, design, performance analysis and certification.

In particular DragonFire are looking for a Weapon System Design lead who will: 

• Lead the Weapon System Design team
• Define and manage the Weapon System Definition and Certification activities
• Lead the Weapon System functional design activities, building on existing DragonFire CDP design structures.
• Define subsystem requirements and interfaces aligned to Weapon System design needs.
• Manage stakeholders to ensure expected outcomes can be delivered in line with the programme schedule.

What we're looking for from you:

• Be a flexible systems thinker
• Initiate and drive trade studies and system development activities
• Have experience of developing complex systems, ideally in defence
• Have the ability to communicate architectures and ideas at all levels
• Understand elaboration of user requirements with the design authorities in response to their needs and constraints
• Support functional design with requirement flow down through system/sub-system/equipment
• Have the ability to disseminate technical information to stakeholders in an understandable manner
• Have proven ability to lead complex activities and deliver the required output with agreed timescales
• Attendance at Customer-level working groups would be necessary
• Develop excellent working relationships with partners and customers/key stakeholders as well as team members and other departments
• Desire to develop, build and grow the Systems Design team and the people within it as the project develop
• Experience of system architecting tools e.g. DOORS/DOORS NG/Rhapsody is desirable
• Knowledge of lasers or maritime system integration would be highly beneficial

Apply now and help us shape the future of defence technology!

Our company:

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.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• 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.
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Training and Development: Excellent career progression, training and career development opportunities
• Possible Relocation Available

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.   MBDA is proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity and more…

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.