Mechanical Architect in Stevenage

The roles of responsibility will include leading architect activities of mechanical design and problem solving for a wide variety of complex weapons and weapon systems, working closely with multi-disciplinary teams such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain. You will be expected to provide technical guidance, drive design maturity, and act as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders.

An opportunity has arisen within Missile Architecture for a skilled Mechanical Architect to join our dynamic team within the Deep Strike programme. As Mechanical Architects, we play a pivotal role in all stages of the missile life‑cycle, from initial feasibility studies to series production and ongoing in‑service support.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Capturing and managing requirements to ensure missile performance meets specifications, deadlines, and budget targets.
• Justifying designs and coordinating verification activities to demonstrate performance.
• Ensuring that functional and mechanical requirements are implemented across all missile sub‑assemblies.

The primary duties of a Mechanical Architect incorporate:

• Analysing the overall product structure, mechanical interfaces, and architecture.
• Conducting architectural trade‑offs in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Promoting adherence to key design principles such as modularity, reusability, and design for assembly.
• Assessing technology maturity and design complexity at the missile level.
• Defining and managing hardware requirements at the missile and sub‑system levels.
• Providing support during product design and program phase gate reviews.
• Managing technical relationships with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure on‑time and on‑budget delivery.
• Tracking and managing assigned budgets effectively.
• Providing technical guidance and oversight to engineers within the team.

Qualifications:

• Ideally educated to degree level, or equivalent experience with significant industry experience.
• Proven ability to lead mechanical design work packages within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong experience across full product life cycles, from concept to in‑service support.
• In‑depth knowledge of design proving and qualification activities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and make technical decisions.
• Ability to work in an international environment and understand cultural issues.
• Experience engaging with and developing suppliers and external partners.
• Ability to manage priorities, assess risk, and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Experience of electro‑mechanical & mechanical design.
• Dedication to work towards delivery timelines and budgets.
• Knowledge of broader engineering fields, such as Materials, Tolerancing, Configuration Control, Environmental, Six Sigma & Lean Design, Systems Engineering, V‑model, DFMEA.
• Ideally experience with Microsoft Office, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Benefits:

• Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, with additional days added after 5, 10 and 15 years of service and the option to purchase up to five additional days through payroll.
• Dynamic Working policies provide flexibility around hours and location, with options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.
• MBDA Retirement Savings Plan: 4% employee contribution and 6% employer contribution to a Defined Contribution plan, with potential to increase contributions by up to 2%.
• Financial Awareness: free financial webinars hosted throughout the year and access to a financial education website.
• Share Incentive Plan: acquire shares in UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, tax‑efficient on shares purchased.
• Mortgage Advice: free of charge mortgage advice and webinars.
• Season Ticket Loan: borrow value of public transport season ticket to spread cost over 12 months.
• Critical Illness: tax‑free lump sum payment for medical expenses and lifestyle adjustments.
• Employee Assistance Programme: free, confidential support 24/7 with up to 8 structured face‑to‑face, telephone or virtual sessions.
• Voluntary Private Medical Insurance: three healthcare plans; funded Private Medical Insurance for Grade C & Above.
• Dental Insurance: cash‑back on everyday dental expenses with six levels of cover.
• Healthcare Cash Plan: cash‑back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing.
• Healthcare and Leisure: cash‑back on everyday healthcare expenses and access to special deals on sporting and recreational facilities.
• Healthworks Gym Membership: on‑site gym at Stevenage site with various classes; annual gym membership discount across UK gym chains.
• Club activities: theatre trips, days out, sporting activities.
• Salary: circa £54,000+ depending on experience.
• Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 to 4 days per week on‑site.
• Security Clearance: British Citizen or Dual UK national with British citizenship required; BPSS checks – all successful candidates undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
• Company bonus: up to £2,500 based on performance; Pension: up to 14% total contribution; Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime; Flexi Leave: up to 15 additional days; Flexible working: options for flexible arrangements; Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave with enhancements for paternity, neonatal and fertility treatments; Facilities: subsidised meals, free car parking.

Company & Culture:

MBDA is a leading defence organisation, proud of its role in supporting the Armed Forces and defending our freedom. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal. We recognise that everyone is unique, and encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process. We are proud to be a nationally recognised employer at MBDA, having received awards such as Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2022, Gold awards from Investors in People, the 5% Club, and Armed Forces Covenant. We are also ranked #1 in the UK’s Best Big Companies to Work For 2022 league table, and #1 for Manufacturing.