Mechanical Architect in Stevenage

Missile Architecture is offering multiple opportunities for experienced Mechanical Architects within the Deep Strike Programme. The role involves leading mechanical design activities and problem solving for a wide variety of complex weapons and weapon systems. You will work closely with multi‑disciplinary teams in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain, and act as a key interface with international and local stakeholders.

Salary: Circa £54,000+ depending on experience.

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 to 4 days per week on‑site to meet workload requirements.

Security clearance: British Citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) after the offer stage, managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

Benefits:

• Company bonus: up to £2,500 (based on company performance, varies year to year)
• Pension: up to a 14% total contribution (employer + employee)
• Paid overtime opportunities
• Flexi‑Leave: up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working arrangements supported
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing/treatment enhancements available)
• Site facilities: subsidised meals, free car parking and more
• Healthcare Cash Plan: cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing

Responsibilities:

• 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.
• 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 programme 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.

We invite you to contribute to a challenging and rewarding role where you can make a significant impact on the future of missile technology and defence systems.

Qualifications:

• Degree‑level education or equivalent industry experience with significant 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 with electro‑mechanical and mechanical design.
• Dedication to meeting 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 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).