Head of Mechanical & Climatic Test Department

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organization in the UK seeks a candidate for the Mechanical & Climatic Test Department, requiring expertise in environmental engineering and management of testing teams. This role offers a hybrid working pattern and competitive salary, with responsibilities including leading test teams and ensuring compliance with customer requirements. Ideal candidates will possess a degree in engineering, strong leadership skills, and experience in environmental tests. The company promotes inclusivity and offers various employee benefits.

Benefits

Bonus of up to 27% of base salary

Car allowance of £300 per month

Pension contributions up to 14%

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced parental leave

Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience; Chartered Engineer is desirable.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, ideally including technical supervision of test laboratories.
• Comprehensive understanding of mechanical & climatic environments and associated test processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Mechanical & Climatic Test Department and ensure task delivery meets customer requirements.
• Provide technical expertise on environmental test methodologies and processes.
• Support the definition of test requirements and development of test specifications.

Skills

Leadership skills

Mechanical & Climatic environments understanding

Project Management

Problem solving skills

Communication abilities

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in relevant engineering field or equivalent experience

Tools

Environmental test equipment

Job description

Do you have Environmental Engineering (Mechanical & Climatic) knowledge, leadership experience and are looking for the next step in your career? If so, keep reading!

Salary: Up to £70,000, depending on experience

Hybrid working pattern : This role offers the opportunity for a balance of on-site and remote working

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: Bonus of up to 27% of base salary
• Car Allowance: A monthly cash allowance of £300 per month
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• 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…
• Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.

The opportunity:

An opportunity has arisen within the Environmental Engineering & Facilities (EE&F) UK Function for the right candidate to lead our Mechanical & Climatic Test Department.

The team consists of approximately 40 engineers (including 6 direct reports) in Stevenage/Henlow. EE&F is integral within all MBDA land, sea and air based weapon system Projects and operates at all stages of the product lifecycle. Within this role you will be responsible for the delivery of M&C Test task packages through the provision of technical management and leadership across our environmental test, structural test and facilities teams as well as management of our M&C test facilities.

The role:

• Lead EE&F UK Environmental Test, Structural Test and Facilities Teams to deliver work packages as agreed with the Projects, to meet the requirements of the customer
• Contribute to the overall EE&F Function vision and provide clear and positive leadership to the M&C Test Department consistent with this vision to ensure staff motivation and performance
• Responsible for the health and safety aspects of the mechanical, climatic and structural test laboratories.
• Provide technical management and supervision of the Environmental Engineering laboratory infrastructure, including acquisition of facilities.
• Ensure MBDA’s environmental test laboratory facilities meet current and emerging needs.
• Provide technical expertise to MBDA projects and sub-contract design authorities on environmental test methodologies, test processes, facilities and instrumentation
• Support investigations into project failures attributed to shock and vibration environments and develop technical solutions
• Support the definition of test requirements, development of test specifications and the preparation of complex engineering designs solutions with respect to shock, vibration and structural test activities
• Initiate and lead process and technology improvements and promote best practices in environmental/structural test strategies and methodology to meet future needs
• Lead, plan and control ongoing test engineering processes and activities and provide technical input to bids for new business
• Responsible for the uptake and conduct of testing activities for commercial customers (external to MBDA).

Some of the key challenges for the role include:

• Working across Functional and international boundaries to resolve complex technical and people management challenges
• Maintaining competency level of staff and achieving skills profile
• Developing Mechanical & Climatic test strategies to keep pace with emerging technologies

What we’re looking for from you:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience / Chartered Engineer desirable
• Strong leadership and people management skills, ideally including technical supervision of test laboratories
• Comprehensive understanding of mechanical & climatic environments and associated environmental test equipment/facilities
• Experience of environmental test and analysis processes, measurements and instrumentation, ideally within the Defence Sector
• Demonstrated expertise in the field of shock and vibration analysis and simulation tools would be beneficial
• Experience of environmental defence standards
• Strong Project Management skills and experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills
• Effective at working in teams with strong interpersonal skills
• Strong ability to push through technical solutions on complex issues

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, People Management Community 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.

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