Actuators Environmental Proving Engineer - EMC

MBDA UK Ltd; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organization in Bristol seeks a hands-on engineer to demonstrate the performance of actuator systems under extreme conditions. The role involves designing trials, coordinating logistics, and reporting findings to support certification. Ideal candidates will have experience in EMC and RF behaviour and a desire to innovate. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and a range of employee benefits including a bonus and pension contributions.

Benefits

Up to £2,500 company bonus

Pension contributions up to 14%

Paid overtime opportunities

Up to 15 days flexi leave

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and free parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Qualifications

• A practical engineer with a passion for testing systems.
• Detail-oriented with a methodical approach to technical activities.
• Ability to interface effectively with technical experts and management.

Responsibilities

• Design bespoke test setups for trials.
• Manage logistics and coordinate trial activities.
• Conduct analyses and prepare trial reports.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Understanding of EMC and RF behaviour

Excellent communication skills

Data analysis and reporting

Problem-solving

Dynamic and proactive

Education

Higher education in Electronics, Electrical, RF, or Physics

Job description

Bristol

Are you a hands-on engineer with an eye for detail, ready to prove the performance of cutting-edge defence technology? Join a brand new ISV team working on the proving of Actuator products in extreme environmental and electro‑magnetic conditions.

Salary: Circa £50,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4‑5 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.

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...
• 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.

The Opportunity

The newly established Integration & Systems Validation (ISV) team within the Actuation Systems Centre of Excellence (CofEx) is looking for a talented engineer to join our mission. You will be instrumental in demonstrating that our state‑of‑the‑art Actuator systems are fit‑for‑purpose and operate flawlessly even in the most extreme electromagnetic environments.

Reporting to the Actuation Systems Proving Lead, you will be responsible for planning, conducting and reporting on trials across the full design lifecycle, including product de‑risk, demonstration and qualification. You will:

• Design trials: Design bespoke test setups and specify the necessary instrumentation and stimuli to accurately capture data during trials.
• Prepare for trial: Lead trials readiness reviews, ensuring all test hardware, software, and facilities are prepared and all aspects, including safety, are assessed and documented.
• Coordinate: Manage and coordinate all aspects of the Actuator under test, securing timely availability and logistics of all hardware, software and test equipment required.
• Execute tests: Be hands‑on in supporting the physical test setup and work‑up in specialised facilities, such as EMC anechoic and reverberation chambers.
• Record comprehensively: Produce accurate logs of all proving activities, raising issues in a timely and detailed way.
• Analyse data: Record and meticulously analyse trial data to verify that the actuator meets its stringent requirements.
• Report findings: Author comprehensive trial conduct reports to support the product's development and certification.
• Support certification: Provide critical data and reports to support the formal certification of actuator products for use.
• Interface: Act as the primary engineering interface between the customer and the test facilities, with deep knowledge of how the product in the full range of intended RF environments.
• Communicate: Ensuring seamless coordination and information flow throughout the trial.
• Manage others: As the team grows, there will be the opportunity to manage a small team of talented proving engineers, developing their skills and driving results.

This role will reward individuals who enjoy hand‑on testing of products in physical environments, such as vulnerabilities to and emissions of RF and electrical energy.

The role is predominantly based on site, especially whilst running trials campaign’s using MBDA's industry‑leading EMC facilities in Bristol, with occasional travel required when using external test houses.

As this is a newly established team, there is the opportunity to grow within this role and shape the way MBDA proves missile equipment both now and for the future.

What we’re looking for from you:

Essential

• A practically minded and hands‑on engineer with a passion for testing systems.
• An understanding of EMC and RF behaviour, vulnerabilities and test methods.
• A keen eye for detail and a methodical approach to planning, executing, and documenting technical activities.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively interface with technical experts, facility personnel, and management.
• Confidence in processing, analysing, and reporting on complex technical data.
• An inquisitive nature and a creative approach to problem‑solving to derive logical solutions, particularly in complex and challenging scenarios.
• A dynamic and proactive individual who can manage their workload.
• Someone who is looking for a new challenge/opportunity, with a growth mindset and ability to shape, improve and progress test and proving approaches and methodologies.

Desirable

• Application of military standards to testing products e.g. Def‑Stan 59‑41/59‑511, AECTP500, MIL‑STD‑461, RTCA DO160 / EUROCAE ED‑14.
• Higher education or strong knowledge in: Electronics, Electrical, RF, Physics, EMC or similar.
• Experience of using test facilities and equipment to replicate environments such as conducted emissions and vulnerabilities.

Our company

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

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 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.

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