Manufacturing Systems Architect

  • MBDA UK
  • Bolton, Lancashire
  • 18/07/2026
Full time Information Technology Telecommunications

Job Description

Overview

An opportunity for an Engineering Manager to act as the manufacturing technical authority for a missile portfolio at MBDA.

Key Responsibilities
  • Ensure the manufacturing system is technically capable for current production requirements and manage all changes to meet future needs.
  • Lead Spiral Development activities at project level from a manufacturing perspective, ensuring all business units are involved.
  • Coordinate obsolescence from a manufacturing project perspective.
  • Lead industrialisation aspects of project product gate reviews.
  • Support project leads in continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency.
  • Lead project rate increase requirements, ensuring production areas can deliver rate requirements.
  • Manage manufacturing CAPEX submissions/requirements and funding at a project level.
  • Coordinate overall project preparation and proving of the production system from initial validation to full certification, ensuring smooth transition from development to series production.
  • Lead project risk identification and aversion strategies related to technical definition and manufacturing methodologies.
  • Develop, maintain and control technical interfaces to customers, suppliers and collaborators to resolve technical issues quickly.
Qualifications
  • Proven technical background in engineering with experience in manufacturing systems, preferably in defense.
  • Excellent stakeholder management, relationship building and influence across cross functional teams.
  • Credible authority on technical topics at project and domain level.
  • Experience leading projects such as Spiral Development and obsolescence removal activities.
  • Strong problem solving, risk management and ability to resolve challenging technical issues in a timely manner.
  • Experience with industrialisation processes.
  • Excellent communication, organisational and decision making skills.
  • Confidence and capability in influencing solutions at senior level.
  • Manufacturing experience allowing strategic vision with long term stakeholders.
Benefits
  • Salary approximately £70,000 depending on experience.
  • Bonus up to 27% of base salary.
  • Car allowance £300 per month.
  • Pension contribution up to 14% (employer + employee).
  • Flexible working and hybrid arrangement (2 3 days on site).
  • Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave; enhancements for paternity, neonatal leave and fertility treatment.
  • Subsidised meals and free car parking.
  • Private medical insurance employer funded for eligible employees.

Security clearance required: Security Clearance (SC). Applicants must be British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

MBDA is an equal opportunity employer.