Technical Bid Lead

MBDA S.A.S.; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense company in Stevenage is looking for a Technical Bid Lead to manage technical bids in the Space and Defence sectors. The role requires a deep understanding of RF technologies and strong technical writing skills to craft compliant proposals. The ideal candidate will have a degree in RF Engineering or related fields, along with experience in bid ownership and knowledge of regulatory requirements. This position offers a chance to shape technical proposals in a high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in RF/microwave systems or technical product leadership.
• Knowledge of defence/space procurement processes and proposal formats.
• Familiarity with Space/Defence development cycles and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical input for bids from qualification through submission.
• Define solution architectures and engineering estimates.
• Produce technical documentation and compliance matrices.
• Work with project/bid management to ensure alignment.
• Ensure proposals meet regulatory requirements.

Skills

Technical writing and communication skills

Commercial awareness

Collaborative skills

Organisation skills

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in RF Engineering, Electronics, or Physics

Master’s/PhD in a related field

Job description

Please note: All applicants for the Technical Bid Lead position must be able to pass UK Security Clearance (SC). My client is a long‑established leader in high‑performance RF, microwave and millimetre‑wave technology, supplying advanced subsystems into telecommunications, aerospace & defence, space, and other mission‑critical communications markets. With decades of engineering capability and a strong reputation for delivering complex RF solutions, they continue to support some of the most significant programmes across the global connectivity landscape.

They are now looking to appoint a Technical Bid Lead to drive the technical direction of bids across Space & Defence. This individual will own the development of technical solutions and supporting material throughout the bid lifecycle, ensuring proposals are robust, compliant, competitive, and aligned with the company's strategic roadmap. In this role, you will act as the key technical interface for bids and proposals, producing engineering content, cost and schedule estimates, compliance matrices, and risk assessments. Working closely with business development, engineering SMEs, bid management, finance, and commercial teams, you will shape compelling proposals that meet stringent industry requirements.

It is a hands‑on position: you will be directly involved in crafting high‑quality technical bid content under tight deadlines, not simply coordinating inputs. It is a high‑impact opportunity at the intersection of engineering, strategy, and customer engagement—ideal for someone who thrives on technical depth and practical execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical input for bids from qualification through submission and hand‑over, transforming complex engineering capabilities into clear, winning proposal content.
• Define solution architectures, delivery strategies, and engineering estimates in collaboration with subject‑matter experts.
• Produce technical documentation including compliance matrices, PBS/WBS, system overviews, and contributions to risk registers.
• Work with project/bid management and finance to ensure full alignment with scopes of work and costed schedules.
• Ensure proposals meet specific Space & Defence qualification and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the technical function during customer clarifications and negotiation phases.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree in RF Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or a similar field (Master’s/PhD a bonus).
• Deep experience in RF/microwave systems, technical product leadership, or bid ownership within Space or Defence.
• Strong understanding of RF subsystems such as amplifiers, filters, and integrated RF modules used in aerospace or secure communications.
• Knowledge of defence/space procurement processes, proposal formats, and bid governance.
• Experience operating across both technical and commercial domains in customer‑facing environments.
• A hands‑on approach to developing technical bid content‑writing, reviewing, and refining complex solution descriptions and estimates.
• Familiarity with Space/Defence development cycles, MoD/ESA standards, and associated qualification pathways.

Essential Skills

• Exceptional technical writing and communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with strategic thinking.
• Highly collaborative and able to manage inputs from multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent organisation, accuracy, and deadline management.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to compliance.

Desirable

• Understanding of UK/US export controls (ITAR, EAR, UK Export Control).
• Knowledge of software‑defined or digitally enhanced RF systems.