Mechanical Architect in Bristol

Bristol Missile Architecture is excited to offer multiple opportunities for experienced Mechanical Architects, with roles available within the Deep Strike Programme. The roles 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 such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain. You will be expected to provide technical guidance, 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 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
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The 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.

Primary duties of a Mechanical Architect incorporate:

• 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 program 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.

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 & mechanical design.
• Dedication to work towards 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, such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.