System Design Engineer

MBDA S.A.S.; Bagstone; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to £2,500

Pension up to 14%

Overtime paid

Flexi Leave up to 15 days

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Job summary

MBDA is seeking a System Design Engineer to lead early lifecycle investigations and develop system designs for RF and LO sub-systems at our Bristol site. You will work across the V-model with stakeholders, contributing to verification plans and trials while coordinating with technology teams and programme management.

The role offers hybrid working, competitive salary up to £55,000 with a potential company bonus, and enhanced benefits including pension, flexible leave, and ongoing professional

Qualifications

• Systems Engineering experience in defining architectures and requirements.
• Use of DOORS/DOORS Next and Rhapsody for model-based systems engineering.
• Ability to conduct trade studies and balance conflicting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead early life-cycle investigations and concept validation.
• Develop system designs for future concepts across subsystems and equipment.
• Plan verification activities and support trials within MBDA projects.

Skills

System architecture

Requirements mgmt

Trade studies

Independent work

Tools

DOORS

DOORS Next

Rhapsody

Job description

System Design Engineer

Date: October 17, 2026

Location: Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, GB, BS37 7NE

Work Type: Any

Company: MBDA

Application Deadline: November 17, 2026, 10:00:32

Job Description

Our Sparkworks Radio Frequency (RF) and Low Observability (LO) Systems Team champion early lifecycle system definition of revolutionary new and novel systems and capabilities by working at the leading edge of the V-model.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: Up to 55,000 depending on experience
• Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4 - 5 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), managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
• 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: 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

This Systems team supports the maturation of a range of technologies in the RF directed energy and active & passive stealth domains. The team forms a key bridge between technology specialists, system and sub-system designers, and programme management and business development within the Sparkworks sector. The core role of the team is to bring these exciting RF and LO ideas to life for both stakeholders and customers.

Whether embedded in a multi-disciplinary team, or leading an individual work package, you will gain broad engineering experience. Typical activities include:

• Leading/conducting early life-cycle investigations, answering "what if", "when" and "how" questions for future concepts.
• Supporting technology specialists and system definition through carrying out trade studies and interacting with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Leading the development of the system design for future concepts through maturing system, sub-system, and equipment level requirements, and analysing and assessing key performance attributes.
• Working across the V-model to plan and support verification activities, including specifying and supporting trials, evidence collection, and product across domains and project areas within MBDA, with internal and external equipment and technology suppliers to deliver concept definitions, technology demonstrations, and showcase ground-breaking future capabilities.

What We're Looking For

Systems Engineering experience in any of the following will be beneficial:

• System functional architecture definition, requirement development, and management.
• Use of Systems Engineering tools including DOORS, DOORS Next, Rhapsody.
• Conducting trade studies, investigating conflicts in requirements and designs, and identifying credible options.
• Working independently on technically complicated problems or within a small team, delivering at a significant pace.

About MBDA

Peace is not a given, freedom is not a given, sovereignty is not a given. MBDA is a leading defense organization. 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 recognize 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.

Location: Bristol

Type: Full time