Technical Lead

MBDA; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 21%

Pension contributions up to 14%

Flexible working

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Job summary

MBDA's Sparkworks team is developing cutting-edge RF and laser directed energy weapons. The role is based in Bristol as a full-time position with dynamic hybrid working up to five days on site.

You will lead engineering development activities, steer an interdisciplinary team in EM modelling, architecture assessment, testing and design, and collaborate closely with the Design Lead to drive decisions and trade studies.

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering engineering development activities.
• Proficiency in RF systems, electrical/electronic architecture, electromagnetic modelling, RF testing or EMC design.
• Experience in leadership and fostering collaboration in teams.
• Degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in project management and planning tasks.
• Willingness to undertake DV clearance.
• British citizenship and BPSS-compliant right to work.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of activities to develop RF Directed Energy Weapons systems.
• Lead a multi-domain team conducting EM modelling, architectural assessment, testing and design.
• Collaborate with the Design Lead to make design decisions and conduct trade studies.
• Provide strong technical leadership while remaining accountable for project management and budget.

Skills

RF systems

EM modelling

Electrical architecture

RF testing

EMC design

Leadership

Project management

Education

Physics

Electrical Engineering

Aeronautical Engineering

Job description

Salary: £30,000 - 52,000 per year

Requirements:

• We need a proven track record in delivering engineering development activities.


• We need proficiency in at least one of the following: high power RF systems, electrical and electronic architecture, electromagnetic modelling, RF testing, or design for EMC.


• We need experience in leadership and fostering collaboration in teams.


• We need a degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related engineering or scientific discipline.


• We need experience in project management and planning tasks and activities.


• We need willingness to undertake DV clearance.


• We require British citizenship and the ability to meet BPSS security checks, with nationality and right-to-work restrictions potentially applying.

Responsibilities:

• We lead the delivery of activities to develop RF Directed Energy Weapons systems.


• We lead a multi-domain team conducting electromagnetic modelling, electrical architecture assessment, test, and design activities.


• We work closely with the Design Lead to make design decisions and conduct design trade studies.


• We provide strong technical leadership while remaining accountable for project management and budgetary management.

Technologies:

• Support


• Security

More:

We are Sparkworks, a specialist team developing cutting-edge solutions in RF and Laser Directed Energy Weapons and Low Observable Technologies. This is an exciting time to join our growing domain, with high demand from partners across the armed forces community. The role is based in Bristol on a full-time basis, with dynamic hybrid working of up to five days per week on site due to workload classification. We offer a competitive package including a bonus of up to 21% of base salary, pension contributions of up to 14%, flexible working, enhanced parental leave, fantastic site facilities with subsidised meals and free car parking, and a Healthcare Cash Plan. We are part of MBDA, a leading defence organisation supporting the Armed Forces and working with governments to defend our freedom. We also support employee-led networks including Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, and Disability.

last updated 36 week of 2026