Senior Process Engineer

MBDA UK Ltd; Farnworth; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension 14%

Overtime

Flexi Leave

Flexible working

Parental leave

Facilities

Healthcare plan

Job summary

MBDA UK Ltd is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to shape Manufacturing Technology and Capability. You will drive evolution of manufacturing capabilities, turning concepts into tangible production reality within a collaborative team.

In this hybrid role, you will horizon-scan technologies, lead R&D programmes, and partner with operations and suppliers to deliver world-class automation solutions.

Qualifications

• Process optimisation on factory-floor mechanics to identify opportunities for tech integration.
• Smart factory infrastructure: evaluating, piloting or deploying automated systems.
• Tech evaluation: assessing external tech trends and cross-industry innovations for business viability.
• Automation & robotics: designing, integrating, or programming industrial robotics/AGVs.
• Investment governance: leading concept studies and robust capital investment proposals.
• Technical project management: directing R&D programs from concept to proof of concept.
• Strategic collaboration: communicating across ops and external providers to architect automated systems.
• NPI & TRL: scaling technologies (TRL 3‑4) into live production (TRL 7+).
• Continuous improvement mindset: challenging legacy frameworks and driving change.

Responsibilities

• Scout horizon technologies and drive future MBDA manufacturing capabilities.
• Lead end‑to‑end research and innovation programmes from concept to proof.
• Partner with internal operations and external tech providers on robust automated systems.
• Direct cross‑functional teams to deliver productivity improvements on the factory floor.
• Govern investment governance through technical options assessments and proposals.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide technical teams through problem solving.
• Disrupt traditional frameworks and champion OpenLab initiatives where applicable.
• Ensure safety, quality, and compliance in all manufacturing initiatives.

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 Apprenticeship

HNC/Level 4 qualification in Engineering

NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Process Engineer - Manufacturing Technology & Capability

Salary: Circa £50,000 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. 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:

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.

Required Qualifications

• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Apprenticeship (Advanced Level or L3 Standard) AND
• Electrical or Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Level 4 academic qualification (HNC, diploma, etc.) AND
• 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.

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.

This role is part of a diverse and inclusive team committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We support gender equality, Pride, men‑opause matters, parents and carers, armed forces, ethnic diversity, neurodiversity, disability, and more initiatives.