Lead Thermal Engineer

MBDA; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation seeks a Lead Thermal Engineer to tackle challenging thermal problems in cutting-edge technology. This hybrid role offers the chance to work on impactful projects while collaborating in a supportive environment. Candidates should have a degree, problem-solving skills, and experience with CAE tools such as ANSYS and MATLAB. Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills are essential for success.

Benefits

Company bonus

Pension contribution up to 14%

Overtime opportunities

Flexi Leave

Flexible working arrangements

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Qualifications

• Ideally degree qualified in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Good problem solving skills and knowledge of heat transfer analysis.
• Experience with CAE tools in regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects involving heat transfer analysis and solutions.
• Work in a supportive team environment.
• Engage in UK and multinational projects.

Skills

Problem solving skills

Knowledge of heat transfer analysis

Experience with CAE tools (e.g., ANSYS, MATLAB, Python)

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Tools

ANSYS

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Are you looking to broaden your experience or take the next step in your career? Do you have the drive and ability to deliver your expertise across multiple, technically challenging activities? The creativity and personality to work with others to derive solutions to thermal problems in cutting‑edge technology?

Salary: Circa £55,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days onsite at Stevenage or Bristol offices 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…

The opportunity:

At MBDA, there is the opportunity for you to work on and lead a variety of projects that will stretch your skills and imagination as a Lead Thermal Engineer. We are a highly motivated team with a strong desire to improve our effectiveness and influence within MBDA. You will work in a supportive environment where people feel valued and are encouraged to achieve their full potential. You will have the opportunity to work on UK and multinational projects that are pivotal to the future success of MBDA and the security of the UK. Attendance onsite will be required, but our Dynamic Working Agreements also allow high levels of flexibility and a balance of office and remote working. This may be at home or in our Stevenage or Bristol offices.

What we’re looking for from you:

Essential:

• Ideally degree qualified in a subject relevant to the role or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Good problem solving skills coupled with a sound fundamental knowledge of heat transfer analysis using computational methods and manual calculations.
• Experience applying CAE tools (e.g. ANSYS, MATLAB, Python) in a regulated design/manufacturing industry to investigate heat transfer problems in mechanical and/or electronic systems.
• Motivated individual who has strong organisational and interpersonal skills.

Desirable:

• Post graduate qualification in a subject relevant to the role.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering projects on time, quality and cost.
• Experienced in technical leadership of small or large teams of engineers.
• Knowledge and experience of methods for managing the thermal performance of mechanical and electronic systems in extreme high and low temperature environments.
• Experience in physical testing of components and assemblies to validate thermal analyses.

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.

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