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Navigation Algorithm Design Engineer

Employer
MBDA
Location
Bristol
Salary
Competitive Salary & Benefits
Closing date
18 Jul 2019
Reference
P7005

View more

Discipline
Design
Sector
Defence
Job Type
Engineer

Job Details

What’s the opportunity?
 
Applications are invited for an Navigation Algorithm Design engineer at MBDA UK Ltd. MBDA is the first truly integrated defence company in Europe and the only European one able to provide missiles and missile systems for each branch of the armed forces, whether in the air, at sea or on land. MBDA’s range of technologies and products consolidates the Group’s world-leading position in the industry.
 
The successful candidate will work with a team of engineers to develop and evaluate navigation algorithms for fast-moving and challenging projects. In particular, the work will involve researching, testing and evaluating algorithms that integrate into a wider complex weapon solution. Strong programming skills are required including Matlab, with a  minimum good Degree with a strong mathematical content and previous demonstrable programming, real-time implementation, validation & verification and navigation experience. Relevant experience (ideally Post-Doctaral or industrial), with the state-of-the-arts navigation algorithms, comparative evaluation and testing is a strong advantage.
 
The Navigation Engineer will become a key member of a dynamic team working within the Guidance, Control and Navigation (GCN) function. The GCN function has responsibilities for algorithm development and proving in the following domains:
  • IIR and RF image and signal processing for target acquisition and tracking
  • Data fusion
  • Terminal and Homing Guidance
  • Mid-Course guidance
  • Autopilots and control systems
  • Propulsion control
  • Integrated Navigation, including GPS integration and Terrain Referenced Navigation
  • Command and Control
  • Mission Planning algorithms
     
    These algorithms are central to the design and development of MBDA’s complex guided weapon systems products.  Algorithms are developed at many stages of the lifecycle of the product including:
  • Research studies, both externally and internally funded, to investigate algorithms for future developments
  • Algorithms to support initial missile feasibility and concept studies
  • Algorithms in support of assessment and development programmes
     
    Navigation engineers are involved in all stages of the lifecycle and play a key role in many of our product developments.
    This is a specialist Navigation engineering role, within the GCN function, that can be within a team with no significant budget or management responsibilities, to full responsibility for small teams and task packages.
 
What will you be doing?
  • You will be responsible for development of specific algorithms or studies to support key programmes within MBDA.
  • Responsibilities can include concept studies, algorithm design and trade-off studies, trials preparation, trials analysis and reporting, architecture definition, algorithm and model validation.
  • You will be autonomous and will be able to act as a point of contact for GCN’s interactions with the other project teams e.g. Simulation and Modelling, Software, Hardware-in-the Loop, Systems Design & Validation and Technical Quality.
  • You will perform technical analyses and investigations into a full range of issues and problems and prepare and develop solutions either individually or as a member of a project team.
  • You will engage with the algorithm users, understand and respond to their needs and ensure that the algorithms are fit for their intended use.
     
What are the benefits for you?
  • You will gain in-depth knowledge of the design and functionality of MBDA’s complex weapon systems through your model development work. You will understand how GCN supports our weapon system products and gain insight into a number of related disciplines with whom we have a high level of interactions (e.g. Simulation and Modelling, Software, Hardware-in-the Loop, Systems Design & Validation, Seekers & Sensors, Technical Quality).
  • You will play a key role in the development of our complex weapon systems.
  • You will have the opportunity to work within an international discipline in MBDA. The GCN Function has team members in two MBDA sites (Bristol and Le Plessis Robinson) and has strong links to our MBDA site in Rome.
 
What’s great about joining this team?
  • GCN Teams have a central role in the concept definition and development of our products.
  • GCN Teams work across all MBDA UK products, giving depth of experience and opportunity to all team members.
  • You will be joining a hard-working and team with a successful track record in achieving project milestones on time and on budget.
  • A stimulating environment and rewarding opportunities.
  • GCN engineers are generally co-located in function, allowing a good team spirit and functional identity.
  • Frequent exposure to high-profile, fast-paced projects.
  • We are continuously improving to bring benefits to the programmes we are involved in. This includes algorithmic approach, processes, methods and toolsets, each of which brings a variety of specific challenges to solve in order to fully exploit new benefits across a wide range of programmes.
 
What we are looking for from you?
  • Either PhD qualified and with relevant industrial experience
  • A minimum good Degree with a strong mathematical content e.g. Aerospace Engineering, Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics
  • Relevant experience of Navigation algorithm design.
  • Ideally will have knowledge and experience of some of the following:
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Aided Navigation techniques, for example but not limited to,
  • Global Navigation Satellite Systems
  • Terrain Referenced Navigation
  • Image Based Navigation
  • Radar and LADAR imaging
  • Opportunistic Navigation / Signals of Opportunity
  • Data fusion techniques
  • Kalman filters
  • Non-linear filtering
     
  • Ideally will have knowledge and experience of the following:
  • The MathWorks products – specifically Simulink, Embedded MATLAB and Stateflow
  • Model Based Design
  • Configuration management
  • Requirement Management e.g. DOORS and Rhapsody
  • C, FORTRAN and Ada
     
  • In addition you will:
  • be autonomous and pro-active and be capable of working on your own initiative with a minimum of supervision, as well as within an algorithm development team working transversally with other functions
  • have an understanding of and an ability to work within defined processes
  • have the ability to visualize and analyse complex systems
  • have good verbal, presentation and written communication skills
  • have practical knowledge of basic systems engineering principles and processes
  • be able to work with engineering teams, including in-house and contractor personnel
  • have good understanding of, and good working experience in all phases of the engineering life cycle
     
    We are aware of relevant activities in avionics and aerospace, computer vision, robotics, autonomous systems, within the mobile phone industry and within the GNSS industry. We would welcome interest from those domains and others.
     
Why should you come and work at MBDA?
  • MBDA, a world leader in missiles and missile systems, is a multi-national group with 10,000 employees on industrial facilities in France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States
  • With some of the most sophisticated technology in defence, MBDA is Europe’s leading guided weapons company and with this in mind we continually look to broaden our existing talent base whilst maintaining a strategic edge, by exploiting new markets and new applications for our world-class technology base
  • Our success is based on the dedication of our people and we strive to offer each and every employee an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding career
  • Our work is complex, challenging and innovative. It takes a range of professionals across the full engineering and commercial spectrum to carry it out.  Whatever field our people specialise in, they all share the same mind-set: a drive to make things work better and to redefine the established standards
  • GCN is an international function, with strong collaboration between sites in UK, France, Italy and Germany.
 
What would you get?
  • Competitive salaries, flexible working, paid overtime (subject to level), a comprehensive pension scheme, discounted private healthcare scheme, sporting activities, fantastic site facilities, bonus schemes, and superb learning and development opportunities.
     
    Please note that in order to apply for MBDA UK opportunities you will need to be eligible for SC (Secret Level) UK Security Clearance.
    Are you a member of LinkedIn?  If so, you are invited to join our LinkedIn Group to view future MBDA UK opportunities and news.
    LinkedIn Group name: Engineering UK (Defence) – SC and DV

Company

Together. For the future of defence.

We work with purpose, knowing that every advancement provides better, smarter and more effective defence capabilities to the UK and their allies. Regarded as one of the most trusted suppliers of defence solutions in Europe, we have a relationship with the UK military spanning back over 70 years.

Whether it’s designing a future concept for the British Army, managing the procurement of a missile component or harnessing their expertise in software in order to integrate one of our products on to the newest fighter jet, all of our employees are a part of delivering a more secure tomorrow.

In addition to being the only defence company on Glassdoor's Best Places to Work 2022 list, MBDA are also recognised nationally with three Investors in People Gold Awards (People, Apprenticeships, and Wellbeing), a top 10 finisher on the Best Big Companies to Work For 2022 league tables.   

For the latest vacancies, employer updates and stories from our people, make sure to visit and bookmark our MBDA UK Careers site.

Our Values 

Our values are at the core of everything we do and shape the culture of our organisation. No matter what role, our people from leadership to entry-level encompass these values knowing that they are working towards the same common goal, sharing a bigger purpose in order to protect national security and enable strategic independence.

Through promoting change with Innovation, taking ownership through Commitment, building trust through Integrity, inspiring others through Passion and encouraging collaboration through Team Spirit, we have created a place where people feel connected with each other and valued in our community.

 

 

Company info
Website
Telephone
01438754500
Location
6 Hills way
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 2DA
United Kingdom

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