RF Systems Lead Engineer - FASE

MBDA; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension

Overtime

Flexi Leave

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Facilities

Healthcare Cash Plan

Job summary

MBDA in Stevenage is seeking an RF Systems Lead Engineer to drive data link capabilities on the Future Air Superiority Effector (FASE) programme. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team of RF engineers and oversee supplier engagement to ensure technical readiness for key milestones.

You will need a strong RF technology background, end-to-end systems engineering experience, and the ability to translate customer needs into robust design solutions while maintaining delivery quality.

Qualifications

• Understand RF technologies and system-level design for RF comms.
• Degree in STEM.
• Strong systems engineering experience across full product life cycle.
• Experience managing suppliers; customer-facing skills are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of data link capabilities on the FASE programme.
• Manage technical studies and trade-offs to ensure readiness for delivery.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of RF systems engineers.
• Engage with suppliers and customers to align capabilities with needs.
• Verify prototype hardware and support rapid exploitation.

Skills

RF technologies

System design

STEM degree

Systems engineering

Supplier management

Customer facing

Autonomy

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Data link

Education

Degree in STEM

Tools

SysML

MATLAB

Job description

Stevenage

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 £55,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: typically, 4-5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British National.

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:

As RF system lead engineer, you will lead development of data link capabilities and acceleration of data link technologies on our Future Air Superiority Effector (FASE) program.

You will be responsible for Leading and steering technical studies, both within data link systems, and also supporting technologies. Managing the delivery of a range of technical capabilities to ensure technical readiness in line with program needs. Managing and conducting trade studies. Verifying performance of prototype hardware in readiness for rapid exploitation. Engaging with suppliers of key technologies. Engaging with customers to capture their needs, and to highlight the capabilities of our technologies.

You will lead a multi-disciplined team including RF systems engineers and related functions. Over all, you will play a key role in shaping future battlespace connectivity.

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
• Leading design reviews across the product lifecycle
• Leading technical investigations & trade studies
• Experience with proving and validation
• Configuration management
• Awareness of simulation tools: Architecture (SysML) / performance modelling (MATLAB)
• 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, 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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