Active Directory Engineer

MBDA S.A.S.; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in the UK is seeking an experienced Active Directory Engineer to manage and secure complex Active Directory environments. This role involves provisioning, monitoring, and auditing these systems while maintaining compliance with security policies. The ideal candidate should possess expert knowledge of AD DS and related technologies, showcasing strong analytical skills and the ability to enhance user experience. The organization offers a flexible working environment and various employee benefits.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Company bonus up to £2,500

Access to financial wellbeing initiatives

Enhanced parental leave

Healthworks Gym Membership

Flexi-Leave up to 15 additional days

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of managing complex AD environments.
• Proficiency in Azure AD, ADFS, and hybrid identity solutions.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities in secure environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage and secure Active Directory environments.
• Provision, monitor, and audit multiple AD environments.
• Enhance compliance with security policies and user experience.

Skills

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

Group Policy

DNS

DHCP

PowerShell

Kerberos

LDAP

NTLM protocols

Privileged Access Management

ITIL v4

Job description

The role will be responsible for the managing and securing Active Directory environments. Provisioning, monitoring and auditing multiple AD environments. You will play a vital role in maintaining compliance with security policies whilst ensuring an enhanced user experience for our colleagues.

Team & Culture

• Become part of a unique, well respected team of dedicated people that have been recognised within our company for its professionalism, dedication and flexibility.
• Having the opportunity to work both nationally and internationally, broaden your horizons by embracing the rich cultural diversity of our company.
• Be part of an organisation with a values-led culture that is committed to investing in its workforce with a personal development programme.

Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays. After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones. You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll. 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. Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a 'Defined Contribution' plan in the Mercer Master Trust. 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%. Financial Awareness – Employees have access to free financial webinars hosted throughout the year, along with access to a financial education website which provides plenty of useful hints, tips and guidance on managing financial wellness. Share Incentive Plan – Acquire shares in our UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, the scheme is tax efficient on shares purchased. Mortgage Advice – As part of our financial wellbeing initiative employees can access free of charge mortgage advice and webinars. Season Ticket Loan – Employees can borrow the value of public transport season ticket for bus or train journeys to and from work and spread the cost over 12 months. Critical Illness – To help reduce the financial impact after being diagnosed with a critical illness, employees receive a tax‑free lump sum payment that can be used for any purpose including covering medical expenses, adjustments to lifestyle and more. Employee Assistance Programme – The Employee Assistance Programme is free, independent, confidential and is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Employees have access to short‑term counselling (which includes up to 8 structured face‑to‑face, telephone or virtual sessions). Voluntary Private Medical Insurance – Private Medical Insurance offers three healthcare plans to suit your individual requirements for you and your family. Funded Private Medical Insurance – Eligible employees (Grade C & Above) are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit. Dental Insurance – The Dental Insurance benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday dental expenses such as, minor treatments, routine examinations, restorative treatment and more. There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits. Healthcare Cash Plan – The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more. There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits. Healthcare and Leisure – The Healthcare and Leisure benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as medical fees, dentist fees, opticians and also provides access to special deals and concessions on sporting and recreational facilities.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Active Directory Engineer to support and enhance the directory services. This role involves managing complex, secure AD environments. If you are committed to high standards, precision and contributing we invite you to apply.

Qualifications & Experience

• Expert knowledge of Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Sites and Services and Replication
• Proven experience managing AD within multi-forest, air‑gapped or secure enclave environments.
• Experience with Azure AD / Entra ID, ADFS, and hybrid identity solutions under strict compliance controls
• Proficiency in PowerShell for automation, auditing and reporting
• Identity and Access Management service support
• Strong understanding of Kerberos, LDAP and NTLM authentication protocols.
• Familiarity with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and smartcard‑based authentication
• Experience in Privileged Access Management principles
• Able to deal with multiple issues, tasks and priorities concurrently
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and decision‑making abilities in secure environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce documentation for technical and non‑technical audiences
• Familiarity with ITIL v4, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus, and NIST frameworks

About MBDA

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.

Employee Networks

We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability 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.

Facilities & Wellbeing

Healthworks Gym Membership – The Healthworks on‑site gym at our Stevenage site offers a range of facilities and equipment, alongside a variety of classes available during the week. Annual Gym Membership – Take advantage of discounted membership at over 3,600 of the UK's leading gym chains, leisure centres, hotel health clubs, independent gyms, boot camps and yoga studios. The Club – The Club provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great social activities – from theatre trips, days out, to sporting activities.

Employer Recognition

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.

Working Conditions

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 1-2 days per week on‑site due to workload classification and dependant on business need. Security Clearance: British Citizen. This role will require DV Clearance. 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.

What we can offer you

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• 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.

Parental 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.

Benefits and Discounts

Discounts & Vouchers – The Discounts platform includes a great range of features such as: discounts, instant vouchers, reloadable cards, easy saver cards, cashback, mobile app and Wellbeing Centre. Costco – Permanent employees of MBDA qualify for Costco's individual membership. Technology Vouchers – Purchase the latest gadgets and white goods up to the value of £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months. Charity Donations – Donate up to five charities each month, with full tax relief on all donations. MyCar Scheme – The MBDA MyCar Scheme offers employees the opportunity to access up to two new vehicles via a salary sacrifice arrangement including an all‑inclusive package. Holiday Purchase – Purchase up to 5 days' extra holiday whilst making tax and National Insurance savings, spreading the cost over 12 months.

Learning & Development

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 Flexibility

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 does 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.