At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production support for cutting-edge RF datalink products in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation committed to supporting the Armed Forces.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative missile systems while growing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Proven RF design and testing experience with strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 61000 £ per year.
Are you an RF & Electronics Engineer looking for a new challenge in a production-facing design support role? Do you enjoy problem solving and collaboration where no two days are the same? Our team of Production Support Engineers is expanding and we are looking for a motivated & experienced individual to undertake a production support lead role focused on transceiver-based datalink products that are used within industry leading missile systems.
Salary: £54-61K depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4-5 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 of up to 14%
- Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
- Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- 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
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
The opportunity:
We have a fantastic opportunity for an RF & Electronics Engineer to play a leading role in the support of Datalink production activities at our state of the art manufacturing facility in Bolton. Reporting to the Production Design Support delivery team leader, as the appointed Production Support Lead for our Datalink products in Bolton you will mainly interface between the Design Authority in Stevenage and the various Manufacturing teams in Bolton working on products in series production and under development.
As a highly motivated, driven & experienced engineer you will be required to respond to any issues raised by Manufacturing and/or Design teams that may affect our ability to deliver product with a strong emphasis on raising & maintaining high yield rates. You will be expected to demonstrate hands-on, face to face production support in many forms such as devising and conducting factory-based trials & proving activities, generating formal evidence and effective collaboration with various Engineering & Operations Managers, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain & Design Authorities when resolving unforeseen production issues.
You will be required to generate an in-depth understanding of our Datalink Products & associated Test Equipment designs including production test requirements in order to quickly & effectively distinguish the correct root cause of the issue(s) and the subsequent resolution process. You will also be required to act as a key stakeholder & peer reviewer for new, emerging Datalink designs focusing on providing feedback in relation to Design for Test and Design for Manufacture based upon experience & problems raised by Manufacturing.
In addition, you will be required to provide RF technical leadership & guidance to other support engineers in the team. Drawing on your experiences you will work autonomously in isolation or within small, focused investigation teams who will be looking to you for guidance and support in relation to RF components, circuits, systems, testing & analysis. Where minor revisions to product designs are required, you will act as the main contact interfacing between the Design Authority and Manufacturing, fulfilling and overseeing any practical evidence gathering activities including the generation of requirement documentation.
The role offers the successful candidate a true engineering challenge in their core discipline(s), whilst providing scope for personal growth and development in other areas of electronics while working on some of the most exciting missile & platform programmes in defence. Working within Production Design support team is a challenging but highly rewarding role as you not only see designs coming to life in the manufacturing environment but you can help to shape the design of these products to deliver support to our customers.
What we're looking for from you:
- Proven practical RF design, testing & Fault Finding of RF circuits down to component level across a wide frequency range including Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA’s), High Power Amplifiers (HPA’s), filters & attenuators, local oscillators, synthesisers, modulator design etc.
- Experience using RF design tools (e.g. Microwave Office), including layout.
- Significant RF Test & Measurement experience including fault finding, RF calibration and measurement uncertainty is highly desirable and the proficient use of RF test equipment including Vector Network Analysers (VNA’s), Spectrum Analysers, Oscilloscopes & Power Meters etc.
- Experience in RF production test requirements and evaluation of correct implementation via test equipment.
- Excellent practical skills including soldering, designing and building development boards for proving activities etc.
- Good knowledge of digital, analogue and power supply design.
- Fully conversant with manufacturing techniques and capabilities, including design for manufacture and test.
- Strong communicator with excellent presentation and report writing skills. Able to communicate clearly any problems, solutions or results to various teams at all levels including Design Authorities, customers & Suppliers. Able to provide demonstrations and training to other support engineers.
Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given. MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.
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.
RF Datalink Production Support Lead in Bolton employer: MBDA
MBDA is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Bristol where innovation thrives. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that encourages professional growth and development, alongside opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology programmes. With a focus on high-performance software solutions, MBDA provides a rewarding experience for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of systems engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RF Datalink Production Support Lead in Bolton
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time RF Datalink Production Support Lead role you’re after at MBDA.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at MBDA a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at MBDA.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like RF Datalink Production Support Lead at MBDA, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace RF Datalink Production Support Lead in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like RF Datalink Production Support Lead, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at MBDA a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to MBDA specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with MBDA, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like MBDA want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
