At a Glance
- Tasks: Support software engineering teams with technical advice and troubleshooting.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation committed to protecting freedom.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid working environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while collaborating with experts.
- Qualifications: Strong programming skills in Ada, C, and C++, with problem-solving abilities.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a technical software person - someone with a strong software engineering and problem-solving background, to take the next step in their career in becoming a Software Technical Specialist within the Software Expertise Group!
Salary: Circa £65,000 to £80,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: Typically, 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: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
- Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
- 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:
As a Software Technical Specialist within the Software Product Lines and Capability department, you will be working closely with the Software Technical Experts to provide essential support across the other departments within Software Engineering. Reporting to the Head of Software Expertise UK, you will be providing specialist technical advice and support, implementation assistance, troubleshooting, and advisory services for our software products and capability.
The Software Technical Specialist acts as an enabler between our Software Technical Experts group, the wider software capability department, and our functional technical development teams, to ensure our software solutions and delivery functions operate effectively and meet business requirements. In undertaking this role there will be the need to identify, document and be a major contributor to developing our software capability, processes, and tools/techniques in the areas of real-time performance, safety, security, user experience, simplicity, reusability, and flexibility. The role includes investigating low-level software technical problems and being able to formulate solutions, improvements, and recommendations. Collaboration is critical within this role, working closely with other Software Technical Specialists, the Software Technical Experts, and wider engineering key contacts to deliver key capability into the functions. You will also have the opportunity to influence the Software Engineering Technology Strategy, Software Product Lines, new technologies, obsolescence, and new methods and tools, by considering longer-term embodiment strategies through being part of the Software Expertise Group.
What we’re looking for from you:
- A strong programming background, preferably with experience in Ada, C, and C++
- Familiarity with Model-based software development environments and tools such as SCADE, Rhapsody and Simulink, and auto-code generation from those tools
- A strong technical practitioner with an analytical mind able to synthesise information, assess trade-offs, and present a clear technical position back to the business
- Able to provide technical support, clearly articulate software technical solutions and collaborate with software developers
- Knowledge of software continuous integration tools and process
- An understanding of software abstraction layers and the software stack
- Experience with the development of safety and security related software solutions
- Knowledge of the Data Distribution Service (DDS) is desirable, but not essential
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.
Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.
Software Technical Specialist employer: MBDA
At MBDA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid working environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a strong commitment to employee well-being through enhanced parental leave and healthcare benefits, we empower our team members to grow both personally and professionally. Our inclusive work culture, supported by various employee-led networks, ensures that every voice is heard and valued, making MBDA a truly rewarding place to advance your career as a Software Technical Specialist in Bolton.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Technical Specialist
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at MBDA or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to MBDA.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like MBDA.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like MBDA that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Technical Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at MBDA.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at MBDA and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If MBDA uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
