Firing Trials Lead

About the job

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.

Salary: Up to £55K depending on experience

What we can offer you:

• Company bonus of up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension of maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Paid overtime
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase)
• Up to 15 additional days flexi leave
• Our 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.
• Fantastic site facilities, including subsidised meals, free car parking (and gym on site at Stevenage)
• Excellent career progression and development opportunities
• We may be able to offer a relocation package for this role

Dynamic (hybrid) working: We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policy allows individuals flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Typically for this role you will work 4 days per week on-site.

The opportunity:

You will actively lead the trials planning, preparation, trials conduct and post-trials activities for the FC/ASW TP15 firing trials.

Starting in early Development phase (circa 2026) a series. These trials will continue in a series of discrete campaigns, with progressively updated hardware and software, throughout the FC/ASW TP15 development. These will include ground and air launched firing trials with their associated work up and integration activities.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Lead the day to day running of ISV firing trials activities, and allocation of tasks for the Flight Trials team.
• Generation of trials documents - Safety documentation (e.g. Trials Hazard Analysis, Safety Submission), Security documentation, Proving Instruction, Trials Schedule.
• Input into the definition of required trials facilities, targets, instrumentation and functional test requirements for firing trials.
• Lead lab-based firing trials integration and testing in conjunction with both Compat, design, manufacture and integration teams.
• Support to the design and manufacturing team for proving and integration activities
• Support to the for environmental clearance testing on the Seeker
• Set up and commissioning of any live build facility needed for firing trials.
• Target scene set up and operation at trials sites.
• Operation and definition of the trials test equipment.
• Maintain and own the L4 plan for firing trials work.

This role will need to work closely with the wider FC/ASW team – particularly design, manufacturing and missile system teams - to ensure that the firing trials deliver the information required to further the progressive development of Weapon System hardware and software and provide appropriate validation evidence.

What we're looking for from you:

• Experience of firing trials and or system integration
• Ideally experience of external trials preparation and conduct.
• Ideally experience of working within a trial environment.
• Willingness to work in potentially harsh & remote conditions and away from home for extended periods.
• Good practical / mechanical skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with external range and facility suppliers
• A good understanding of the company ISV processes and procedures Personnel management and team leadership skills
• Be able to communicate across the internal functions – particularly design, manufacturing and systems teams - and customer community

Our Business:

We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential. MBDA is 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. We also welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), Twitter (@MBDAcareers), Instagram (lifeatMBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Please Note: MBDA UK Limited requires all employees to achieve the required medical and national security clearance for their role. Further restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may also 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.

Due to the nature of our business, this particular vacancy requires the applicant as a minimum to be a British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship and capable of achieving the clearance levels mentioned above.

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