Principal Systems Engineer at MBDA

Be among the first 25 applicants.

As part of our Systems Design Emerging Portfolio and Capability function, you will deliver systems engineering expertise to projects focusing on the front‑end of the product life cycle, designing the latest Complex Weapons capabilities for the UK and partner nation Armed Forces in response to advanced threats in all domains (Air, Land, Sea).

Salary: up to £60,000 (depending on experience)

Location: Bristol, Stevenage or Bolton (relocation may be available)

Dynamic (hybrid) working: Typically 3 to 4 days per week onsite due to workload classification.

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. All successful candidates must undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS) after the offer.

What we can offer you

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexible leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption, shared parental leave; enhancements for paternity, neonatal leave and fertility treatments
• Facilities: fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and more
• Training and development: excellent career progression, training and career development opportunities
• Possible relocation available

The opportunity

You will gain broad engineering experience, engaging partners, coordinating technology specialists, and developing advanced systems engineering techniques. You may work embedded in a multi‑disciplinary team or lead an individual work package, and you will also have people‑management opportunities to lead teams and shape the engineers of the future.

What we’re looking for from you

• Systems engineering experience in any of the following skill areas:
• Requirements and use‑case analysis
• Concept assessment and design trade studies
• System architecture design and functional modelling
• Performance assessment and system behaviour analysis
• Verification, validation and certification
• Model‑based engineering techniques, including MBSE

Broader engineering management experience is welcome, including leadership of work packages, integration of complex activities, or managing technical relationships with customers or suppliers.

Our company

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces that protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We have diverse employee‑led networks, including Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity and more. We recognise that everyone is unique and encourage you to speak to us if you require advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

Defense and Space Manufacturing