Design Authority in Kidderminster

Overview

Expleo is a leading Global Engineering Services Provider with UK presence in 10 locations. We are seeking an Embedded Design Authority Engineer.

The successful candidate will work as part of a team on projects spanning from concept design, demonstration, development, qualification, and production, through to customer in-service support.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to advanced defence technology, supporting the security of the UK and its allies.

Ideal candidates will be collaborative, self‑motivated, detail‑focused, and methodical in their approach to problem solving.

Responsibilities

Promote zero harm objective by operating in accordance with any Health, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors and pro-actively promote and support SWIM.

Manage design evolution to meet customer requirements.

Responsible for clearance of detail production drawings, ensuring conformance to BS8888 and manufacturability.

Lead and complete DFMEA’s.

Approve production processes and tooling.

• Demonstrate compliance with customer requirements.
• Specify and review structural, thermal and ballistic analyses.

Review key suppliers’ methods of manufacture and control procedures.

Specify, monitor and report rocket motor trials.

Lead trials readiness reviews.

Adhere to internal EN9100 processes, particularly the RD2 process, understand and share Technology Readiness Levels and Class of Difficulty Assessments.

Produce and deliver formal technical presentations to the customer.

• Produce product technical specifications and detailed technical reports.
• Ensure appropriate validation testing is carried out prior to formal qualifications.
• Lead formal design reviews (PDR, DDR, CDR etc) at the relevant design phases and ensure actions are taken and completed on time.
• Responsible for producing a Certificate of Design for the rocket motor and associated documentation; Qualification reports, Compliance Matrix, Safety Case etc.
• Customer technical interface lead on all technical matters with the missile prime contractor (e. g. MBDA, Thales, SAAB) and the end user (e. g. Mo D, DGA)
• Lead technical investigations.
• Liaison at all levels within the business, manufacturers and suppliers.
• Arrange/manage specific trials such as structural testing, rocket motor firings, laboratory scale testing (quantitative testing of materials, etc)
• Dis-assembly/assessment of fired rocket motor hardware.
• Perform any other duties necessary, as requested to by the business to carry out job function.

These responsibilities require close liaison and understanding with Roxel specialists in CAD design, stress analysis, thermal analysis, ballistic analysis, solid propellants, materials, trials, production engineering and project management.

Qualifications

• Essential Qualifications
  A formal qualification (minimum HND or equivalent) in mechanical, aeronautical, physics or related engineering discipline.

Alternatively, a fully time-served engineer supported by recognised apprenticeship and / or equivalent demonstratable experience in a related discipline.

• Desirable Qualifications
  Professional membership / Chartered Engineer (CEng) of a relevant institute e. g., Institute of Mechanical Engineers, Royal Aeronautical Society, Institute of Explosive Engineers etc.

Essential skills

• Sound understanding of engineering (mathematics, stressing, materials (metals and polymers) and manufacturing techniques.
• Interest and aptitude in both the theory and practical aspects of engineering and in particular rocket motor design.
• Ability to assimilate and evaluate technical information from a wide range of disciplines with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to present complex problems clearly and logically to other specialist and non-specialist engineers.
• Excellent document/report writing skills.
• Trials/assessment testing experience (e. g. structural testing, vibration, etc)
• Computer literate with sound knowledge of MS Office Word / Excel / Power Point etc.
• Good understanding of DFMEA, ‘Design to Cost’ and ‘Design for Manufacture’ principles.
• Demonstrate behaviours that align with Roxel’s values of ‘Commitment’, ‘Innovation’, ‘Trust’ and ‘Teamwork’.
• Proven ability to manage projects through the entire engineering development lifecycle.
• Motivated and driven to deliver results according to defined timescales and expected standards.
• Strong communicator with the ability to build relationships with the customer and other internal technical specialists.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Positive attitude and work ethic.
• Able to manage own time and prioritise tasks.

Experience

• Experience in an engineering team environment developing products to meet customer requirements.
• Experience working with safety-critical products and knowledge of regulatory standards requirements e. g. DEF STAN 07-085.
• Good experience of Project Management and familiarity with P6 Primavera.
• Experience of bids and commercial management in Defence, Automotive or Manufacturing Engineering environment.
• Experience of managing within a EN9100 or Quality Management System culture.
• IT literate with experience of working with Microsoft Office tools (Power Point, Excel, Word, etc)
• What do I need before I apply
• Ability to gain SC level of clearance
• The role is eligible for ad-hoc hybrid working after a successful period of probation.

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects
• Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to

• Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
• Communicating and promoting vacancies
• Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
• Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
• Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”.

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive