Head of Laser DEW Capabilities
// Role Summary
Lead the Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Capabilities team at MBDA, driving innovation and delivery of cutting-edge weapon systems. This role offers a dynamic hybrid working environment and significant opportunities for professional growth.
// Key Responsibilities
- Lead a team of specialist scientists and engineers in the LDEW domain.
- Oversee the successful delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
- Contribute to strategic planning and the technical direction of LDEW technologies.
- Foster academic partnerships and represent MBDA at NATO working groups.
- Requires an engineering/physics background with laser (DEW) systems experience.
// Role Specification
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of the growth of the Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) capability within MBDA. We're looking for a passionate leader to take the LDEW Capabilities team to the next level, building on our recent successes in delivery and winning contracts.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Laser (DEW) systems and a passion for people management and leadership, coupled with experience in delivering small programmes or complex work packages. There are two streams of specialist scientists/engineers in Laser DEW Capabilities focused on the delivery of the DragonFIre MDC LDEW system into service, and driving a varied set of research and technology development contracts.
What the role involves:
- Managing and developing a high-performing team of specialist scientists and engineers in the Laser DEW domain.
- Overseeing and ensuring successful delivery across several complex and multi-disciplinary projects, driving progress from concept through to implementation while navigating technical, operational, and international challenges.
- Driving the MBDA UK Sovereign and International LDEW internal research programmes.
- Strategic planning, contributing to the technical direction of LDEW technologies, setting vision and driving innovation.
- Fostering Academic partnerships via the Energy Technology Hub.
- Technical leadership in Industry-Government collaboration.
- Representing MBDA UK at NATO working groups and NIAGs in the LDEW domain.
What we are looking for:
- An engineering / physics background with experience of weapons systems.
- In-depth understanding and experience of laser (DEW) technologies and systems.
- Effective people management skills and leadership behaviours.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Proven experience of delivering small programmes or complex task packages.
What we can offer you:
- Salary: Circa £72,000 depending on experience.
- Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 days per week on-site due to workload classification.
- Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary.
- Pension: Maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%.
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants 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.
- Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company-funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.
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 Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.