Mechanical Architect in Bolton

Bolton Missile Architecture is excited to offer multiple opportunities for experienced Mechanical Architects, with roles available within the Deep Strike Programme. The role 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 across mechanical 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.

Salary: Circa £54,000+ depending on experience

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

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

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 up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave; enhancements available for paternity, neonatal leave and fertility treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and more
• Healthcare Cash Plan: Provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more

The opportunity:

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 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. You will be responsible for justifying designs, coordinating verification activities to demonstrate performance, and ensuring that functional and mechanical requirements are implemented across all missile sub‑assemblies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze the overall product structure, mechanical interfaces, and architecture.
• Conduct architectural trade‑offs in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Promote adherence to key 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.

Join us in this challenging and rewarding role where you can make a significant impact on the future of missile technology and defence systems.

What we're looking for from you:

• 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 and mechanical design.
• Dedication to work towards delivery timelines and budgets.
• Knowledge of broader engineering fields, such as Materials, Tolerancing, Configuration Control, Environmental, Six Sigma and Lean Design, Systems Engineering, V‑model, DFMEA.
• Ideally experience with Microsoft Office such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.