RF Systems Lead Engineer

MBDA Missile Systems; Bristol; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an RF Systems Lead Engineer to spearhead data link systems engineering for a cutting-edge weapons project. This role involves leading a dynamic team, interfacing with suppliers and customers, and ensuring the technical integrity of the project. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of RF technologies and systems design, with a degree in a STEM subject. The company offers a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a range of benefits including bonuses and flexible working arrangements, making it an exciting opportunity for those looking to make a significant impact in the defense sector.

Benefits

Company bonus

Pension contribution up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

Up to 15 additional days of Flexi Leave

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Qualifications

• Strong background in systems engineering across the full product life cycle.
• Ability to perform technical investigations and propose design solutions.
• Experience managing suppliers and customer-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead data link systems engineering work on a new weapons system programme.
• Coordinate systems engineering aspects, including requirements management.
• Provide technical leadership for junior RF systems engineers.

Skills

Managing internal suppliers

Work package management

Technical leadership of junior engineers

Systems design methodologies

Requirements definition and management

Leading design reviews

Overseeing hardware transition to production

Leading technical investigations

Proving and validation

Configuration management

Simulation tools awareness

Understanding RF communication principles

Education

Degree in STEM subject

Tools

SysML

MATLAB

Job description

At MBDA, we are continuing to grow our Data Link Systems organisation, providing a world leading missile data link capability. A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an RF Systems Lead Engineer. You will be responsible for leading data link systems engineering work on a new weapons system programme, interfacing with both suppliers and customers, and providing technical leadership for junior RF systems engineers.

Salary: Circa £50,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: typically 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...

The opportunity:

As RF system lead engineer, you will be the main Data Links technical point of contact for a weapon system project. You will be responsible for coordinating the systems engineering aspects of the project, including supporting bids, defining the system architecture, and managing development activities such as requirements management, system modelling management, and system proving plans (V&V). You will lead a small team of RF systems engineers.

What we're looking for from you:

You will have an understanding of RF technologies, and system level design considerations for RF communication system. Ideally, you will be degree qualified in a STEM subject. You will have a strong background in systems engineering across the full product life cycle together with experience of managing suppliers. Customer facing skills are also highly desirable.

We're looking for you to have an ability to work autonomously within a multi-skilled team with a good understanding and commitment to achieving project goals. You should also be able to perform technical investigations, provide problem assessments, and propose design solutions within a culture of innovative thinking.

We are looking for some of the following skills:

• Managing internal suppliers, and external suppliers
• Work package management
• Technical leadership of junior engineers
• Systems design methodologies
• Requirements definition and management
• Leading design reviews across the product lifecycle
• Overseeing the transition of development hardware into production
• Leading technical investigations
• Experience with proving and validation
• Configuration management
• Awareness of simulation tools: Architecture (SysML) / performance modelling (MATLAB)
• Experience working within an international team
• Understanding of RF communication principals and design

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 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.