At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a System Design Engineer focusing on Image Processing and Control for cutting-edge defence technology.
- Company: MBDA is a leading defence organisation dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces and ensuring national security.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company bonuses, flexible working, and fantastic site facilities.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team developing groundbreaking laser weapon systems with real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in electronic engineering and complex systems design is essential; familiarity with software requirements is a plus.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for paid overtime and enhanced parental leave.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 66000 £ per year.
MBDA is looking for motivated engineers to continue to develop DragonFire into a world class, deployable, LDEW air defence system!
Salary: Circa £55,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 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:
DragonFire has been and continues to be a boundary pushing weapon system development programme that has significant industry and customer engagement. Thus far the programme has been aimed at developing the UK’s first Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) concept demonstrator, achieving significant success recently with several highly publicised trials activities.
Our ambitious plans involve parallel and interleaved streams of pioneering technology experimentation and rapid weapon system development, providing opportunities across the key weapon system domains of Systems Engineering: requirements, design, performance analysis and certification.
In particular DragonFire are looking for System Design Engineers to work on the Image Processing and Control subsystem.
To be considered, you must:
- Be familiar with Electronic Engineering requirements content, and experienced in handling embedded software or firmware requirements.
- Have experience of developing complex systems design requirements, particularly for implementation in software.
What we're looking for from you:
- Ideally experience in some of these areas:
- Manage system requirements, verification and compliance evolution against a rapid system baseline release schedule
- Be able to generate detailed requirement sets on the basis of a variety of drivers and manage change over baselines
- Support system requirement flow-down through to design and implementation teams
- Initiate and drive risk quantification and mitigation activities as trade studies
- Have the ability to support technical mediation, communicating issues, architectures and ideas at all levels and to varying degrees of specificity
- Be a flexible systems thinker
- Have the ability to disseminate technical information to stakeholders in an understandable manner
- Have proven ability to deliver the required output with agreed timescales
- Develop excellent working relationships with partners and key stakeholders as well as team members and other departments
- Desire to develop, build and grow the Systems Design team and the people within it as the project develops
- Experience of system architecting tools e.g. DOORS/DOORS NG/Rhapsody is desirable
- Knowledge of lasers and/or optical physics would be beneficial
- Passion and persistence to get a job done and done well
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 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.
Contact Detail:
MBDA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land System Design Engineer - Image Processing and Control
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in image processing and control systems. This will not only help you understand the technical requirements better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or professionals in the defence sector, especially those working on similar projects. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with system requirements management and compliance. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled complex systems design in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to meet their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for defence technology and your understanding of its impact on national security. This can set you apart from other candidates and align your values with those of MBDA, making you a more attractive applicant.
We think you need these skills to ace System Design Engineer - Image Processing and Control
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the System Design Engineer position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, particularly in image processing and control, as well as any specific technologies mentioned.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in electronic engineering, embedded software, and complex systems design. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your application stands out to recruiters.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also demonstrates your passion for the role and the company. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with MBDA's goals, especially those related to laser technology and system architecture.
Highlight Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, emphasise your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and your experience in team collaboration. Mention any leadership roles or initiatives you've taken that showcase your desire to develop and grow within a team.
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what a System Design Engineer does, especially in the context of image processing and control. Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies and methodologies mentioned in the job description, such as embedded software and system requirements.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience with complex systems design and how it relates to the role. Be ready to provide examples of how you've managed system requirements and verification processes, particularly in fast-paced environments.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves disseminating technical information to various stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively at all levels, which is crucial for this position.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Highlight your ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with team members and other departments. Share examples of how you've contributed to team success in the past, as MBDA values strong interpersonal skills and teamwork.