Security Visits Officer

MBDA Careers; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; 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 is seeking a Security Visits Officer to act as the front-line gatekeeper protecting sovereign assets while enabling multi-million-pound international programmes to advance at operational pace.

Operating under FSC/List X standards and GovS 007, you will verify clearances, coordinate international visits, and ensure compliant access for partners and visiting officials.

Qualifications

• Background in security administration within a UK Defence, MOD or FSC/List X site.
• National security vetting eligibility and ability to undergo checks.
• Experience handling sensitive information in a secure environment.
• Proven experience verifying background vetting before access approval.
• Strong data protection discipline and confidential record handling.
• Excellent attention to detail when reviewing visitor data and vetting numbers.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with strict processing lead times.
• Clear, assertive communication to advise staff on access rules.

Responsibilities

• Protect sovereign assets while enabling multi-million-pound programmes.
• Turn complex security policy into compliant access pathways.
• Verify foreign clearances and manage international visits.
• Coordinate with UK's International Visits Control Office.
• Enforce access rules and escort requirements for visitors.

Skills

Security administration

Compliance

Visitor coordination

Data protection

Background vetting

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Workflow management

Job description

Step in as our Security Visits Officer, where you`ll be far more than an administrator. You are the critical link, ensuring high-stakes international defence programmes advance seamlessly – and securely – at operational pace.

Salary

Circa £35,000 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…
• 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 our Security Visits Officer, you will serve as the front-line gatekeeper protecting sovereign Crown and allied assets while enabling multi-million-pound international programmes to advance at operational pace.
Operating across UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Facility Security Clearance (FSC / List X) standards and Government Functional Standard GovS 007: Security, your mission is to turn complex national security policy into smooth, compliant operational pathways. Every classified foreign delegation stepping onto our facility and every company expert deployed to high-threat or allied installations overseas will run directly through your assurance pipeline.

This is a small team that acts as the operational security gateway for our business directly controlling how international partners, military officials, and foreign delegations access sensitive UK defence facilities and classified information. Operating under national security mandates, the area verifies foreign clearances, oversees international visits, along with other one-time meetings, multi-year recurring visits and long term project attachments working with the UK Ministry of Defence's International Visits Control Office.

What we're looking for from you:

• You will already have a background in security administration, compliance within a UK Defence, MOD, or FSC/List X contractor facility or similar.
• National Security Clearance Eligibility: You must currently hold, or be eligible and fully willing to undergo and maintain, a high-level government national security vetting check, typically requiring a minimum of five years of continuous United Kingdom residency.
• Security Administration Background: Proven working experience in an administrative, compliance, or visitor coordination role within a secure environment, such as the defence industry, government sector, or secure facility contractor.
• Handling Sensitive Information: Practical experience managing sensitive personal records and confidential paperwork, ensuring information is stored, shared, and destroyed in line with strict data protection rules.
• Clearance and Identity Verification: Verifying that individuals hold the correct level of background vetting before granting building or meeting access.
• Strict Attention to Detail: Exceptional precision when checking visitor dates, project titles, full personal details, and vetting numbers, ensuring submissions are complete and avoid administrative rejections.
• Deadline and Priority Management: Ability to manage busy workflows, monitor strict processing lead times (often 20 to 25 working days), and handle urgent, fast-track requests calmly and accurately.
• Clear Communication and Assertiveness: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to advise staff on access rules, enforce physical escort rules, and challenge or halt unapproved visits.

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.