Environmental Proving Engineer

Job Description

SPEAR 3 ENV/Mechanical &Climatic Proving Engineer

Are you a hands-on engineer with an eye for detail, with a passion for mechanical and climatic testing, ready to prove the performance of cutting-edge defence technology? Join a dynamic team where you’ll be proving weapon subsystem products in extreme environmental conditions.

Salary: Circa £50,000+ depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4-5 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 Security Clearance (SC) checks 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…
• 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

The Integration & Missile Validation department is looking for a talented engineer to join our mission to achieve the Certificate of Design within the SPEAR 3 team. You will be instrumental in demonstrating that the SPEAR 3 Weapon is fit-for-purpose and operates flawlessly even in the most extreme mechanical and climatic environments. SPEAR 3 is an important Weapon System programme advancing through the first customer capability requirement and also on to new variants for additional UK and export platforms.

Reporting to the SPEAR 3 Ground Trials Proving Lead, you will be responsible for planning, conducting and reporting on trials across the full design lifecycle, including product de-risk, demonstration and qualification. You will:

• Design trials: Design bespoke test setups and specify the necessary instrumentation and stimuli to accurately capture data during trials.
• Prepare for trial: Lead trials readiness reviews, ensuring all test hardware, software, and facilities are prepared and all aspects, including safety, are assessed and documented.
• Coordinate: Manage and coordinate all aspects of the Weapon subsystem under test, securing timely availability and logistics of all hardware, software and test equipment required.
• Execute tests: Be hands-on in supporting the physical test setup and work-up in specialised facilities, such as temperature and shaker chambers.
• Record comprehensively: Produce accurate logs of all proving activities, raising issues in a timely and detailed way.
• Analyse data: Record and meticulously analyse trial data to support the verification that the system meets its stringent requirements.
• Report findings: Author comprehensive trial conduct reports to support the product's development and certification.
• Support certification: Provide critical data and reports to support the formal certification of our products for use.
• Interface: Act as the primary engineering interface between the customer and the test facilities, with deep knowledge of how the product performs in the full range of intended physical environments.
• Communicate: Ensuring seamless coordination and information flow throughout the trial.

This role will reward individuals who enjoy hand-on testing of products in physical environments, such as temperature, humidity, vibration and shock.

The role is predominantly based on site, especially whilst running trials campaigns using MBDA’s industry-leading mechanical & climatic facilities in Stevenage, with occasional travel required when using external test houses.

What we’re looking for from you:

Essential

• An understanding of structural dynamics and associated environmental test equipment/labs.
• A practically minded and hands-on engineer with a passion for testing systems.
• A keen eye for detail and a methodical approach to planning, executing, and documenting technical activities.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively interface with technical experts, facility personnel, and management.
• Confidence in processing, analysing, and reporting on complex technical data.
• An inquisitive nature and a creative approach to problem-solving to derive logical solutions, particularly in complex and challenging scenarios.
• A dynamic and proactive individual who can manage their workload.
• Someone who is looking for a new challenge/opportunity, with a growth mindset and ability to shape, improve and progress proving approaches and methodologies.

Desirable

• Application of military standards to testing products e.g. Def-Stan 00-0035, MIL-STD 810, STANAG 4370.
• Higher education or strong knowledge in: Mechanical, Aerospace, Physics or similar.
• Experience of using test facilities and equipment to replicate environments such as temperature, humidity, vibration and shock.

Our Business:

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.

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