Integration & Systems Validation Engineer - Actuators

MBDA; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in the UK seeks a hands-on engineer to join their newly established ISV team, focusing on testing actuator products in extreme conditions. This hybrid role requires excellent engineering principles knowledge and a methodical approach to testing. The position offers a competitive salary around £50,000 and a range of benefits including a company bonus and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

14% pension contribution

Paid overtime opportunities

Flexi Leave up to 15 additional days

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Qualifications

• Experience in environmental or EMC trials is advantageous.
• Dynamic and proactive individual with strong workload management.
• Keen eye for detail and methodical planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full trial lifecycle for actuator systems.
• Design bespoke test setups and prepare for trials.
• Execute tests in specialized facilities.
• Analyze trial data and report findings.
• Support certification of actuator products.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Attention to detail

Engineering principles knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Test equipment

Analysis software

Job description

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 and 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 can operate flawlessly in the most extreme environmental and electromagnetic conditions.

Reporting to the Actuation System Proving Lead, you will be responsible for the full trial lifecycle, from initial planning through to hands‑on testing culminating in detailed reporting. You will:

• Coordinate: Manage and coordinate all aspects of the Actuator under test, securing timely availability and logistics of all hardware, software and test equipment required
• 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.
• Execute tests: Be hands‑on in supporting the physical test setup and work‑up in specialised facilities, such as temperature and shaker chambers and EMC anechoic and reverberation chambers.
• Record comprehensively: Produce accurate logs of all trial 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 with stakeholders: Act as the primary interface with facility personnel and wider project stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and coordination throughout the trial.
• Manage others: As the team grows, you will be expected to manage a small team of talented ISV engineers, developing their skills and driving results.

This role will reward individuals who enjoy hands‑on testing of products in replicated environments, for instance in the EE&F temperature and shakers, and EMC anechoic and reverb chambers.

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

What we're looking for from you:

• A practically minded and hands‑on engineer with a passion for testing systems.
• A dynamic and proactive individual who can manage their workload
• A strong understanding of engineering principles across mechanical, electrical, and radio‑frequency domains. Experience in environmental or EMC trials would be highly advantageous.
• 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.
• An individual 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.

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.

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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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