Laser Direct Energy Weapon Engineer

MBDA S.A.S.; West of England; Hybride; GBP 48 000 - 58 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Company bonus

Pension up to 14% total

Paid overtime

Flexi Leave 15 days

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Site facilities and parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Résumé du poste

MBDA UK is seeking LDEW engineers to work on the DragonFire programme, delivering a world-first laser directed energy weapon to Royal Navy ships within two years. You will work at the intersection of laser physics and systems engineering, turning cutting-edge science into a rugged, certified weapon system.

The role requires a PhD or significant industry experience in high‑power laser technology, strong communication skills, and BPSS clearance.

Qualifications

• PhD or significant industry experience in laser technology at system level.
• Profound understanding of laser physics and optics.
• Strong communication skills to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience with defence or complex mission-critical systems is advantageous.

Responsabilités

• Translate cutting-edge LDEW science into a rugged, certified weapon system.
• Oversee requirements, performance analyses and design certification.
• Collaborate with a team of LDEW scientists and engineers toward deployment on Royal Navy platforms.

Connaissances

Laser physics

Optics

System engineering

Communication

Formation

PhD or equivalent industry experience in laser tech

Description du poste

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 : BristolType: Full time