Bristol
About the Role
Missile Architecture is excited to offer multiple opportunities for experienced Mechanical Architects within the Deep Strike Programme. The role involves leading architect activities of mechanical design and problem solving for complex weapons systems, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across mechanical engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain. You will provide technical guidance, drive design maturity, and act as a key interface with internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Capture and manage requirements to ensure missile performance meets specifications, deadlines, and budget targets.
- Justify designs and coordinate verification activities to demonstrate performance.
- Ensure functional and mechanical requirements are implemented across all missile sub‑assemblies.
- Analysing the overall product structure, mechanical interfaces, and architecture.
- Conduct architectural trade‑offs in collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Promote adherence to design principles such as modularity, reusability, and design for assembly.
- Assess technology maturity and design complexity at the missile level.
- Define and manage hardware requirements at the missile and sub‑system levels.
- Provide support during product design and program phase‑gate reviews.
- Manage technical relationships with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure on‑time and on‑budget delivery.
- Track and manage assigned budgets effectively.
- Provide technical guidance and oversight to engineers within the team.
Qualifications
- Degree level education 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 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.
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Benefits
- Company bonus up to £2,500 based on performance.
- Pension with up to 14% employer and employee contribution.
- Paid overtime opportunity.
- Flexi leave up to 15 additional days.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, with additional enhancements for paternity, neonatal leave, and fertility treatments.
- Site facilities including subsidised meals and free car parking.
- Healthcare Cash Plan for everyday health expenses.
Working Conditions
Salary: Circa £54,000 + depending on experience.
Dynamic hybrid working: 3-4 days per week on site.
Security clearance: British Citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship.
All successful candidates will undergo Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
