Scene Generation RF/EO Software Engineer

MBDA; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to £2,500 company bonus

Pension up to 14%

Overtime paid

Flexi Leave up to 15 days

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Healthcare Cash Plan

Free parking

Job summary

MBDA is seeking a software engineer to join the Scene Rendering team in the UK. You will design and build physics‑driven 3D rendering engines and integrate our models into test and modelling environments.

You’ll contribute to greenfield simulation capabilities and improve existing software, collaborating with stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver resilient, maintainable code. You will work with colleagues across engineering disciplines, applying modern practices and potentially

Qualifications

• Practical development experience with MATLAB and Simulink, or Python.
• A degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience delivering maintainable software using modern engineering practices, including unit and system testing, version control (Git), and CI/CD.
• Domain knowledge in radar/RF sensing or EO/IR sensing and imaging techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop greenfield simulation capabilities and improve existing software.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to understand requirements and risks.
• Contribute to internal research and explore emerging technologies (including AI).
• Own projects at higher grades and deliver to one or more programmes.

Skills

MATLAB & Simulink

Python

Unit testing

Git

CI/CD

Education

Physics/Engineering/Math degree

Tools

Simulink

Job description

Scene Generation supports the development of all of MBDA's complex weapon programmes. Scene Generation owns the capability to create physics-driven simulations of the world as observed by a weapon system seeker or sensor.

Salary: Circa £53,000 - £60,000 depending on experience

Dynamic working: 2-4 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:

Within the Scene Rendering team, we design and build the software that drives this capability, using advanced, novel 3D rendering engines. We also work with our colleagues to integrate our products into software- and hardware-based test and modelling environments.

Our simulations support the testing and certification of new weapon systems by allowing MBDA to study their behaviour in a digital representation of the real world. We also support the day-to-day operations of our armed forces and allies by assessing how in-service weapon systems behave against simulations of new and emerging threats.

What you'll be doing:

You'll work within a small software engineering team, both developing greenfield simulation capabilities, and improving and accelerating existing software product lines. You'll collaborate with project stakeholders to understand requirements, identify risks and opportunities, and explore technical options.

MBDA champions innovation; you'll spend some of your time involved with internal research and have the opportunity to contribute your own ideas, explore emerging technologies (including AI), and help shape our future simulation capabilities.

You'll have scope to work independently while collaborating with colleagues across engineering disciplines. At higher grades, you'll own a project and be accountable for its delivery to one or more programmes. You do not need experience with both RF and EO/IR, but you'll have the opportunity to work in both domains.

What we're looking to see from you:

• Practical development experience with MATLAB and Simulink, or Python.
• A degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience delivering maintainable software using modern engineering practices, including unit and system testing, version control (e.g. Git), and CI/CD.
• Domain knowledge in one or more of:

• Radar and RF sensing, including SAR, range-Doppler processing, passive RF sensing, or other radar technologies, and associated signal and image formation techniques.

• Active and passive EO/IR sensing and imaging, including modelling optical propagation of coherent and incoherent light through an atmosphere. This may include sensing chains associated with LDEW and active illumination systems.

Relevant experience may come from professional work, academia, research or substantial independent projects.

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.