Mechanical Architect

Position Overview

Missile Architecture is offering multiple opportunities for experienced Mechanical Architects within the Deep Strike Programme. The role involves leading mechanical design activities and problem solving for a wide variety of complex weapons and weapon systems. You will work closely with multi‑disciplinary teams in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain, and act as a key interface with international and local stakeholders.

Salary:
Circa £54,000+ depending on experience.

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 to 4 days per week on‑site to meet workload requirements.

Security clearance:
British Citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) after the offer stage, managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

• Company bonus: up to £2,500 (based on company performance, varies year to year)
• Pension: up to a 14% total contribution (employer + employee)
• Paid overtime opportunities
• Flexi‑Leave: up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working arrangements supported
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing/treatment enhancements available)
• Site facilities: subsidised meals, free car parking and more
• Healthcare Cash Plan: cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing

Your key responsibilities include:

• Capturing and managing requirements to ensure missile performance meets specifications, deadlines and budget targets.
• Justifying designs and coordinating verification activities to demonstrate performance.
• Ensuring that functional and mechanical requirements are implemented across all missile sub‑assemblies.

The primary duties of a Mechanical Architect include:

• 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 programme 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.

We invite you to contribute to a challenging and rewarding role where you can make a significant impact on the future of missile technology and defence systems.

We are looking for:

• Degree‑level education or equivalent industry experience with significant 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 with electro‑mechanical and mechanical design.
• Dedication to meeting 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 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).