Senior Process Engineer

Overview

A Great opportunity for an engineer with a flair for innovation and enthusiasm for new technology within the manufacturing industry. Drive and support innovation across manufacturing on current and future programmes.

Job Title:

Senior Process Engineer - Manufacturing Technology & Capability

Salary:
Circa £50,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3-4 days per week on-site due to workload

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. After offer, candidates will undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

The opportunity:

Drive the future of defence manufacturing technology. As a Senior Process Engineer within MBDA UK, you will lead the evolution of manufacturing capabilities by transforming cutting-edge concepts into high-impact, physical realities. You will be a core catalyst for innovation within the Manufacturing Technology & Capability function, identifying, maturing, and deploying advanced technologies that optimise current operations and shape future infrastructure. This role is highly collaborative, empowering you to disrupt traditional frameworks, lead cross-industry technology horizon scanning, and collaborate with international counterparts and strategic partners to deliver world-class Manufacturing Engineering solutions.

• Technology Horizon Scanning:
  Scout cross-industry technological breakthroughs to future-proof MBDA manufacturing, focusing on smart automation, intelligent robotics, and predictive digital twins.
• Industry 4.0 Horizon Scanning:
  Scout cross-industry technological breakthroughs.
• Applied Research:
  Expand business intelligence through targeted literature studies and technical research.
• Investment Governance:
  Lead concept studies, technical options assessments, and robust investment proposals.
• Productivity Optimization:
  Identify and exploit immediate factory-floor opportunities for technological advancement.
• Programme Management:
  Direct end-to-end research and innovation programmes from concept to proof.
• Strategic
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with internal operations and external technology providers to architect robust, scalable automated systems.
• Innovation Oversight:
  Govern, mentor, and mature grassroots ideas submitted via our Open Lab ecosystem.

Essential Technical Skills (Must-Have)

• Process Optimisation:
  Practical knowledge of factory-floor mechanics to identify and exploit immediate opportunities for technological integration.
• Smart Factory Infrastructure:
  Experience evaluating, piloting, or deploying automated systems and connected manufacturing environments.
• Technology Evaluation:
  Demonstrated ability to evaluate external technological trends, academic literature, and cross-industry innovations for business viability.
• Automation & Robotics:
  Experience designing, integrating, or programming industrial robotics, cobots, or automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
• Investment Governance:
  Experience leading concept studies, conducting technical trade-off assessments, and populating robust capital investment proposals.
• Technical Project Management:
  Proven ability to direct R&D programmes from early concept testing through to final proof of concept.
• Strategic
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Strong communication skills to bridge internal operations and external technology providers to architect automated systems.
• NPI & Technology Readiness (TRL):
  Experience scaling early-stage technologies (TRL 3-4) into live, fully operational scaled production environments (TRL 7+).
• Continuous Improvement Mindset:
  Proactive, innovative approach with the confidence to challenge legacy frameworks and drive change.

Essential Leadership & Delivery Skills (Must-Have)

• Cross-Functional Delivery:
  Ability to align engineering, operations, and procurement teams around shared deployment goals.
• Technical Mentorship:
  Experience coaching junior engineers and guiding technical teams through problem-solving scenarios.
• Change Management:
  Experience leading floor-level teams through adoption…