Senior Process Engineer

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus: Up to £2,500

Pension: up to 14% total contribution

Overtime: paid

Flexi Leave: up to 15 days

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 wks

Site facilities: subsidised meals & 1

Healthcare Cash Plan

Job summary

MBDA UK is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to drive the evolution of our manufacturing technology and capability. You will translate cutting‑edge concepts into high‑impact, physical realities, collaborating with international counterparts and strategic partners to deliver world‑class manufacturing solutions.

You will horizon-scan, lead investment governance, and manage end‑to‑end R&D programmes, while mentoring junior engineers and aligning operations, procurement, and engineering teams to

Qualifications

• Must-have: ability to optimise factory operations and implement tech-enabled improvements.
• Experience evaluating and piloting automated systems and connected manufacturing.
• Proven track record in leading R&D or product development within manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Horizon scan cross‑industry tech breakthroughs to future‑proof MBDA manufacturing.
• Lead concept studies, trade‑offs, and robust investment proposals.
• Direct end‑to‑end R&D programmes from concept to proof of concept.
• Bridge internal operations and external technology providers to architect automated systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead cross‑functional delivery across engineering, operations and procurement.
• Support OpenLab ideas through governance and mature evaluation.

Skills

Process optimisation

Smart factory

Technology evaluation

Automation & robotics

Investment governance

Technical project management

Strategic collaboration

NPI & TRL

Continuous improvement

Education

Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Apprenticeship (Advanced Level or L3 Standard)

Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Level 4 qualification

Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Level 3 NVQ

Job description

Overview

A Great opportunity for an engineer with a flair for innovation and enthusiasm for new technology within the manufacturing industry. Drive and support innovation across manufacturing on current and future programmes.

Job Information

• Job Title: Senior Process Engineer - Manufacturing Technology & Capability
• Salary: Circa £50000 depending on experience
• Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3-4 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. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS).

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

Drive the future of defence manufacturing technology. As a Senior Process Engineer looking at Manufacturing Technology at MBDA UK, you will lead the evolution of our manufacturing capabilities by transforming cutting‑edge concepts into high‑impact, physical realities. Operating within our dynamic Manufacturing Technology & Capability function, you will act as a core catalyst for innovation. You will identify, mature, and deploy advanced technologies that optimise our current operations and shape our next‑generation infrastructure. This highly collaborative role empowers you to disrupt traditional frameworks, spearhead cross‑industry technology horizon scanning, and collaborate with international counterparts and strategic partners to deliver world‑class Manufacturing Engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Technology Horizon Scanning: Scout cross‑industry technological breakthroughs to future‑proof MBDA manufacturing such as focusing on smart automation, intelligent robotics, and predictive digital twins.
• Industry 4.0 Horizon Scanning: Scout cross‑industry technological breakthroughs.
• Applied Research: Expand business intelligence through targeted literature studies and technical research.
• Investment Governance: Lead concept studies, technical options assessments, and robust investment proposals.
• Productivity Optimization: Identify and exploit immediate factory‑floor opportunities for technological advancement.
• Programme Management: Direct end‑to‑end research and innovation programmes from concept to proof.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with internal operations and external technology providers to architect robust, scalable automated systems.
• Innovation Oversight: Govern, mentor, and mature grassroots ideas submitted via our OpenLab ecosystem.

Essential Technical Skills (Must‑Have)

• Process Optimisation: Practical knowledge of factory‑floor mechanics to identify and exploit immediate opportunities for technological integration.
• Smart Factory Infrastructure: Experience evaluating, piloting, or deploying automated systems and connected manufacturing environments.
• Technology Evaluation: Demonstrated ability to evaluate external technological trends, academic literature, and cross‑industry innovations for business viability.
• Automation & Robotics: Experience designing, integrating, or programming industrial robotics, cobots, or automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
• Investment Governance: Experience leading concept studies, conducting technical trade‑off assessments, and populating robust capital investment proposals.
• Technical Project Management: Proven ability to direct R&D programmes from early concept testing through to final proof of concept.
• Strategic Collaboration: Strong communication skills to bridge the gap between internal operations and external technology providers to architect automated systems.
• NPI & Technology Readiness (TRL): Experience scaling early‑stage technologies (TRL 3‑4) into live, fully operational scaled production environments (TRL 7+).
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: A proactive, innovative approach with the confidence to challenge legacy frameworks and drive change.

Essential Leadership & Delivery Skills (Must‑Have)

• Cross‑Functional Delivery: Ability to align engineering, operations, and procurement teams around shared deployment goals.
• Technical Mentorship: Experience of coaching junior engineers and guiding technical teams through problem‑solving scenarios.
• Change Management: Experience leading floor‑level teams through the adoption of new machinery, software, or workflows.
• Risk & Resource Management: Competence in mapping out project delivery constraints, materials budgets, and engineering resource allocations.
• Clear Communication: Ability to translate complex automation data into straightforward progress reports.
• Desirable Experience (Nice‑to‑Have)
  • Highly Regulated Engineering: Background in aerospace, defence, or other safety‑critical manufacturing environments (e.g., AS9100, cleanrooms, explosive safety).
  • R&D Incubator Governance: Experience mentoring technical teams and managing idea selection within an internal technology accelerator or lab.

Desirable Experience (Nice‑to‑Have)

• Highly Regulated Engineering: Background in aerospace, defence, or other safety‑critical manufacturing environments (e.g., AS9100, cleanrooms, explosive safety).
• R&D Incubator Governance: Experience mentoring technical teams and managing idea selection within an internal technology accelerator or lab.

Required Qualifications

• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Apprenticeship (Advanced Level or L3 Standard)
• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Level 4 academic qualification (HNC, diploma, etc.)
• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Level 3 vocational qualification (NVQ) *Not required if a L3 apprenticeship standard has been achieved OR Degree in a relevant subject.

About MBDA

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, including 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.