Simulator Engineer - HWIL

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension (14%)

Overtime

Flexi leave

Flexible working

Parental leave

Meal subsidies

Free parking

Job summary

MBDA is seeking a Simulator Engineer for the Hardware-in-the-Loop team to service missile flight simulations and related test hardware. The role is hands-on, performing fault-finding and maintenance across complex equipment and real-time simulators.

You will join a small multidisciplinary HWIL group, developing expertise across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, controls and simulation disciplines while supporting upgrades and ensuring availability.

Qualifications

• Strong practical engineering background with experience in one or more listed areas.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Willing to work in a hands-on HWIL environment with flexible approach.
• Experience with hydraulic or servo-hydraulic systems is desirable.
• Familiarity with CAD tools, especially CREO, is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose faults and return equipment to service after breakdowns.
• Read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings for maintenance.
• Support upgrades, modifications and obsolescence activities.
• Improve equipment reliability and maintainability.
• Assist installation, commissioning and acceptance of new equipment.
• Contribute ideas to improve HWIL facility operations.

Skills

Hydraulics

Servo-hydraulic

Electro-mechanical

Control systems

Motion control

Interpreting drawings

Workshop skills

CREO CAD

Education

Mechanical engineering degree

Electrical/Electronic/Mechatronics/Robotics/Aerospace

HNC/HND

Engineering apprenticeship

Tools

CREO

Job description

Exciting opportunity for a Simulator Engineer, in our Hardware-in-the-Loop Team!

Salary: Up to £46,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 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

The opportunity:

We are looking for an ambitious individual to work on engineering systems that simulate missile flight. We're looking for a practical, technically curious engineer to help maintain, fault-find, improve and develop the equipment that makes this possible.

Our Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL/HIL) facility performs some of the most complete missile testing possible without conducting an actual firing and will soon become the National Missile Evaluation Centre. We combine real missile hardware with complex, real-time simulations and specialist physical equipment to recreate the conditions experienced during flight. We are MBDA's Missile test track.

You'll work directly with multi-axis flight motion simulators, antenna positioning systems, control equipment and test hardware, supporting a capability at the heart of missile development and proving. As part of a small multidisciplinary HWIL engineering team, you'll take responsibility for keeping our simulator equipment safe, reliable and available.

You will be joining a specialist engineering environment unlike most conventional maintenance or controls roles. You'll have the opportunity to work with sophisticated equipment, learn how missile systems are tested and validated, and develop knowledge across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, controls and simulation disciplines. Because HWIL brings together so many different technologies, the role offers considerable variety and opportunities to broaden your engineering experience. You'll work alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists while developing expertise in a capability that is central to MBDA's missile development programmes.

You will be reactive and proactive, involved in planned and corrective maintenance activities. This is a hands‑on role where physical activity is inherent.

Indicative work would be diagnosing faults and helping return equipment to service following breakdowns. Reading and interpreting mechanical and electrical engineering drawings. Supporting equipment upgrades, modifications and obsolescence activities. Helping improve equipment reliability, maintainability and availability. Supporting installation, commissioning and acceptance of new or upgraded equipment. Contributing ideas to improve the way our HWIL facilities are operated and maintained. Missile testing is varied, and you'll regularly encounter new engineering challenges, so you'll need to be comfortable investigating unfamiliar systems and working methodically towards a solution.

What we’re looking for from you:

You do not need to have experience in every area listed below. We're looking for someone with a strong practical engineering background and experience in one or more of the following:

• Hydraulics or servo-hydraulic systems
• Electro‑mechanical systems
• Control systems
• Motion control or servo systems
• Able to interpret mechanical and electrical drawings
• Workshop skills (hand and electrical tools)
• Some activities may involve working at height
• Experience with CAD, particularly CREO, would also be useful but is not essential.

Willing to work as part of a small team responsible for the Hardware-In-The Loop operating environment. Dynamic in your approach and willing to work flexibly when required.

We welcome applicants from a range of engineering backgrounds. You may have gained your experience through:

A Degree in any of; Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronics, Robotics, Aerospace or a related engineering discipline.

HNC/HND.

Engineering apprenticeship.

We're more interested in your engineering ability, practical experience and willingness to learn than in you matching every requirement.

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.