Principal Systems Design Engineer - Future Products in Bristol

Principal Systems Design Engineer - Future Products in Bristol

Bristol Full-Time 48600 - 59400 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape the future of missile systems and lead innovative design projects.
  • Company: Join a pioneering defence company focused on strategic growth and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive bonus, flexible leave, and enhanced parental options.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for strategic influence and career advancement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while working with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: Extensive Systems Engineering experience and strong stakeholder engagement skills.

The predicted salary is between 48600 - 59400 £ per year.

Overview

In this role you shape the next generation of missiles and integrated weapon systems, translating ambitious concepts into viable technical scopes.

You’ll operate at the intersection of early design and strategic growth, delivering technically grounded plans for major national and international programs.

You will lead cross-disciplinary activities and steer the technical narrative through creative, high-visibility phases.

This is a chance to influence tomorrow’s capabilities while collaborating with diverse stakeholders and customers.

  • Pay / Benefits
  • Company bonus up to 2,500
  • Pension up to 14% total employer/employee
  • Overtime opportunities
  • Flexi Leave up to 15 days
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Enhanced parental leave options (maternity/adoption/shared parental) and additional leave types

Responsibilities

  • Lead concept development and funneling to drive technical down-selection
  • Define functional architecture and system-level performance requirements
  • Specify missile system capabilities to meet operational needs
  • Own technical delivery milestones and translate goals into deliverable plans with SMEs
  • Orchestrate customer requirements into structured specifications (CPS, SRS, TRS)
  • Engage stakeholders to align technical strategy with business objectives
  • Contribute to strategic initiatives across Future Business areas (Deep Strike, Hypersonics, etc)
  • Act as a technical integrator bridging customer needs and engineering plans
  • Key requirements
  • Extensive Systems Engineering experience, especially in early-phase conceptual work
  • Experience developing and applying requirements and translating customer needs into specifications
  • Ability to engage across disciplines (Physical Architecture, Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Guidance, Navigation)
  • Comfort with Sales/Business Development and strategic direction
  • Delivery-focused with proactive, positive attitude
  • Desirable: technical project management and competitive bidding experience
  • Desirable: team and technical leadership skills
  • Desirable: ability to develop Functional Architectures and system-level performance requirements
  • Desirable: awareness of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Ambiguity tolerance
  • Strategic thinking
  • Cross-disciplinary Systems Engineering
  • Functional architecture design
  • System-level performance specification

Principal Systems Design Engineer - Future Products in Bristol employer: MBDA

MBDA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive benefits such as a generous bonus scheme, flexible working arrangements, and enhanced parental leave, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful projects that defend our freedom. Located in the UK, MBDA fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, empowering its workforce through various employee-led networks and opportunities for continuous development.

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Contact Details:

MBDA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Systems Design Engineer - Future Products in Bristol

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with MBDA for a Principal Systems Design Engineer - Future Products. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Systems Design Engineer - Future Products in Bristol

Systems Engineering
Concept Development
Functional Architecture Design
System-Level Performance Specification
Stakeholder Engagement
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Technical Delivery Milestones

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at MBDA, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At MBDA, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with MBDA.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with MBDA. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like MBDA love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.