Laser Direct Energy Weapon Engineer

MBDA UK Ltd; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension

Overtime

Flexi Leave

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Facilities

Healthcare plan

Job summary

MBDA UK Ltd is recruiting engineers for the DragonFire programme to deploy a Laser Directed Energy Weapon on Royal Navy ships. You will bridge laser physics and systems engineering to deliver a deployable air-defence system.

The role focuses on translating high‑power laser research into a robust, certifyable weapon, spanning requirements, analysis, design reviews and final integration within a highly strategic MoD project.

Qualifications

• PhD or significant industry experience in laser technology at system level.
• Deep understanding of laser physics and optics.
• Able to explain complex laser concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Translate cutting-edge laser science into a rugged, certified weapon system.
• Oversee design certification and final system integration.
• Refine requirements and perform performance analysis.

Skills

Laser technology

System-level

High power lasers

Laser physics

Optics

Communication skills

Education

PhD in laser technology

Job description

The award of the DragonFire contract marks a turning point in UK naval warfare. MBDA is now tasked with a historic goal: deliver the first-ever Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) onto Royal Navy warships within the next two years. MBDA is looking for LDEW engineers to work on one of the most talked-about project in the UK defence sector.

Salary: Circa £53,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 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.

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:

DragonFire isn't a long-term research project, it is a race to deployment. We are looking for technically astute, driven engineers to help transform DragonFire from a successful prototype into a world-class, deployable air defence system. If you want to see your work move from the lab to the deck of a warship in record time, this is where you belong.

You will sit at the critical intersection of laser physics and systems engineering, not just analysing data, but helping to architect the future of Naval air defence. The immediate challenge of this role will be to ensure that the cutting-edge science of LDEW is translated into a rugged, reliable, and certified weapon system. Its focus will span the full lifecycle: from refining requirements and performance analysis to overseeing design certification and final system integration and you'd be joining a dedicated team of LDEW specialist scientists and engineers, ready to play a key role in a project with immense strategic importance to the Royal Navy and the MoD.

Who we're looking for:

• You hold a PhD or have significant industry experience in laser technology at a system level, ideally with high power lasers.
• You have a profound understanding of laser physics and optics and the desire to use that knowledge to influence the design of a world-first technology.
• With a rare blend of a technical expertise and effective communication skills, you're able to take complex laser and optics concepts and explain clearly at all levels, from senior stakeholders to junior team members, from technical experts to non-technical stakeholders.
• You're persistent, passionate about problem-solving and able to perform system capability trades to optimise a high-quality product, driven by the satisfaction of seeing a complex system actually work in the real world.
• A background in defence or the development of complex, mission-critical systems would be advantageous.

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.

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