Head of Mechanical & Climatic Test Department

Job Description Do you have Environmental Engineering (Mechanical & Climatic) knowledge, leadership experience and are looking for the next step in your career? If so, keep reading!Salary: Up to 70,000, depending on experienceHybrid working pattern: This role offers the opportunity for a balance of on-site and remote workingSecurity 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 Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.What we can offer you:Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 27% of base salaryCar Allowance: A monthly cash allowance of 300 per monthPension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangementsEnhanced 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 treatmentsFacilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.The opportunity:An opportunity has arisen within the Environmental Engineering & Facilities (EE&F) UK Function for the right candidate to lead our Mechanical & Climatic Test Department.The team consists of approximately 40 engineers (including 6 direct reports) in Stevenage/Henlow. EE&F is integral within all MBDA land, sea and air based weapon system Projects and operates at all stages of the product lifecycle. Within this role you will be responsible for the delivery of M&C Test task packages through the provision of technical management and leadership across our environmental test, structural test and facilities teams as well as management of our M&C test facilities.The role:Lead EE&F UK Environmental Test, Structural Test and Facilities Teams to deliver work packages as agreed with the Projects, to meet the requirements of the customerContribute to the overall EE&F Function vision and provide clear and positive leadership to the M&C Test Department consistent with this vision to ensure staff motivation and performanceResponsible for the health and safety aspects of the mechanical, climatic and structural test laboratories.Provide technical management and supervision of the Environmental Engineering laboratory infrastructure, including acquisition of facilities.Ensure MBDA's environmental test laboratory facilities meet current and emerging needs.Provide technical expertise to MBDA projects and sub-contract design authorities on environmental test methodologies, test processes, facilities and instrumentationSupport investigations into project failures attributed to shock and vibration environments and develop technical solutionsSupport the definition of test requirements, development of test specifications and the preparation of complex engineering designs solutions with respect to shock, vibration and structural test activitiesInitiate and lead process and technology improvements and promote best practices in environmental/structural test strategies and methodology to meet future needsLead, plan and control ongoing test engineering processes and activities and provide technical input to bids for new businessResponsible for the uptake and conduct of testing activities for commercial customers (external to MBDA).Some of the key challenges for the role include:Working across Functional and international boundaries to resolve complex technical and people management challengesMaintaining competency level of staff and achieving skills profileDeveloping Mechanical & Climatic test strategies to keep pace with emerging technologiesWhat we're looking for from you:Educated to degree level or equivalent experience / Chartered Engineer desirableStrong leadership and people management skills, ideally including technical supervision of test laboratoriesComprehensive understanding of mechanical & climatic environments and associated environmental test equipment/facilitiesExperience of environmental test and analysis processes, measurements and instrumentation, ideally within the Defence SectorDemonstrated expertise in the field of shock and vibration analysis and simulation tools would be beneficialExperience of environmental defence standardsStrong Project Management skills and experienceExcellent verbal and written communication abilitiesProven analytical and problem solving skillsEffective at working in teams with strong interpersonal skillsStrong ability to push through technical solutions on complex issuesOur company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a givenMBDA 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, People Management Community 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.Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.#LI-CT1JBRP1_UKTJ

Created: 2025-12-16