Principal Mechanical Design Engineers in Stevenage

Mechanical Engineering is excited to offer multiple opportunities for experienced Principal Mechanical Design Engineers, with roles available across all areas of the Product Life Cycle, from mechanical future concepts and detailed design through qualification, production, and in-service support. In these roles of responsibility, you will lead the development of mechanical solutions for a wide variety of complex weapons and weapon systems, working closely with multi-disciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain. You will be expected to provide technical leadership, drive design maturity, and act as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders.

Leave and Working Policies

• Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays.
• After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones.
• You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.
• Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work.

Retirement and Financial Programs

• Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a “Defined Contribution” plan in the Mercer Master Trust.
• The standard contributions are 4% of an employee’s base salary and 6% employer contributions.
• Financial Awareness – Employees have access to free financial webinars hosted throughout the year, along with access to a financial education website.
• Share Incentive Plan – Acquire shares in our UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, the scheme is tax efficient on shares purchased.
• Mortgage Advice – Employees can access free of charge mortgage advice and webinars.
• Season Ticket Loan – Employees can borrow the value of a public transport season ticket for bus or train journeys to and from work and spread the cost over 12 months.
• Critical Illness – Employees receive a tax-free lump sum payment that can be used for any purpose including covering medical expenses, adjustments to lifestyle and more.
• Employee Assistance Programme – The EMP is free, independent, confidential and is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year.
• Voluntary Private Medical Insurance – Offers three healthcare plans to suit individual requirements for you and your family.
• Funded Private Medical Insurance – Eligible employees (Grade C & Above) are enrolled as standard into the company-funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.
• Dental Insurance – Provides the option to claim cash back on everyday dental expenses and offers six levels of cover.
• Healthcare Cash Plan – Provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.
• Healthcare and Leisure – Provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as medical fees, dentist fees, opticians and also provides access to special deals and concessions on sporting and recreational facilities.

Employee Networks and Inclusion

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more. We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Health & Fitness Benefits

• Healthworks Gym Membership – The Healthworks on-site gym at our Stevenage site offers a range of facilities and equipment, alongside a variety of classes available during the week.
• Annual Gym Membership – Take advantage of discounted membership at over 3,600 of the UK’s leading gym chains, leisure centres, hotel health clubs, independent gyms, boot camps and yoga studios.
• The Club – Provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great social activities – from theatre trips, days out, to sporting activities.

Compensation and Conditions

• Salary: Circa £50,000+ depending on experience.
• Location: Stevenage (relocation package may be available).
• Dynamic Working: An average of 2–3 days per week on-site, dependent on work classification.
• Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Qualifications

• Ideally Degree, HND, or HNC in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) 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.
• Robust hands-on experience with design methodologies such as DFMEA, DFA, and DFM.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and make technical decisions.
• Experience engaging with and developing suppliers and external partners.
• Ability to manage priorities, assess risk, and mentor less experienced engineers.
• Understanding of structural, thermal, and/or dynamic analysis (advantageous).
• Relevant 3D CAD/CAE experience (training provided on company tools).

What We Can Offer You

• 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%.
• Paid Overtime Opportunities.
• 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 available for paternity, neonatal and fertility treatments.
• Site Facilities – Subsidised meals, free car parking and much more.

The Opportunity

The roles offer the chance to lead complex mechanical design work packages on critical defence products and influence design decisions across the full life cycle. You will play a key role in ensuring designs meet performance, safety, cost, and schedule requirements. The roles provide excellent long-term career progression opportunities within MBDA, including further technical leadership or engineering management pathways. Appointments will be made at an appropriate level based on skills and experience.

Family & Lifestyle Support

We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees. We offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave. Enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments. We also offer 2 weeks enhanced pay for paternity leave, and neonatal care leave for up to 12 weeks where a period of extended hospital care is required after birth. Employees also have access to support while undergoing fertility testing and treatments.

Discounts, Vouchers & Additional Perks

• Discounts & Vouchers – The platform includes discounts, instant vouchers, reloadable cards, easy saver cards, cashback, mobile app and Wellbeing Centre.
• Costco – Permanent employees qualify for Costco’s individual membership.
• Technology Vouchers – Purchase the latest gadgets and white goods up to the value of £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months.
• Charity Donations – Donate up to five charities each month with full tax relief on all donations.
• MyCar Scheme – Access up to two new vehicles via a salary sacrifice arrangement including an all-inclusive package.
• Holiday Purchase – Purchase up to 5 days’ extra holiday while making tax and National Insurance savings, spreading the cost over 12 months.

Learning & Development

Our dedicated In-House Learning & Development team, Apprenticeship programmes, and variety of online learning platforms support everyone's development. We encourage new learning and provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study. Management training opportunities are available for those who lead or aim to lead a team.

Dynamic Working Personalisation

We want our people to work when and where they feel most effective. For most employees, a flexi-time scheme allows you to choose, within parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you accrue time. For roles not based full-time at a site, opportunities to work from home are part of the agreed Dynamic Working arrangement. Accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, plus the 25 days of annual leave and bank holidays.

Security Clearance

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.