RF Datalink Production Support Lead

Overview

In this role you will lead production support for Datalink products at MBDA’s Bolton facility, bridging Design Authority and manufacturing to maintain high yield and resolve issues rapidly. You’ll conduct factory trials, gather evidence, and guide cross-functional teams to prove and improve production readiness. You’ll provide RF technical leadership to peers and influence design-for-test/manufacture for ongoing programs. This is a hands-on, problem-solving role within a collaborative, defence-focused environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Company bonus up to 2,500
• Pension up to 14% total contribution
• Overtime paid
• Flexi Leave up to 15 days
• Flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Responsibilities

• Interface between Design Authority and Manufacturing to manage series production and development,
• Lead response to manufacturing/design issues affecting delivery and yield
• Conduct factory trials, prove activities, and generate formal evidence
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, QA, Supply Chain, and Design Authorities to resolve production issues
• Develop understandings of Datalink products and test equipment to identify root causes and drive resolutions
• Act as stakeholder and reviewer for new Datalink designs, focusing on Design for Test and Design for Manufacture
• Provide RF technical leadership and mentorship to other support engineers
• Work autonomously or in focused investigation teams to guide RF components, circuits, and testing
• Oversee practical evidence gathering and documentation for revisions to product designs
• Engage with customers and suppliers to communicate problems, solutions, and results
• Support training and demonstrations for other engineers
• Contribute to shaping product designs to enable better production support
• Operate in a challenging, rewarding environment with missile and platform programs

Key requirements

• Proven practical RF design, testing and fault finding of RF circuits across frequency ranges, including LNAs, HPAs, filters, attenuators, local oscillators, synthesizers, and modulators
• Experience using RF design tools (e.g., Microwave Office) including layout
• Strong RF test and measurement experience with fault finding, calibration, and measurement uncertainty; proficient use of RF test equipment (VNA, Spectrum Analyser, Oscilloscopes, Power Meters)
• Experience in RF production test requirements and evaluation via test equipment
• Excellent practical soldering and ability to design/build development boards for proving activities
• Good knowledge of digital, analogue and power supply design
• Familiar with manufacturing techniques including design for manufacture and test
• Strong communication, presentation, and report-writing skills; able to convey problems and solutions to diverse stakeholders
• Ability to provide demonstrations and training to other support engineers
• Security clearance: BPSS checks and UK citizenship requirements as stated in job description

• Strong communicator
• Collaborative teamwork
• Problem solving and analytical mindset
• Microwave Office (RF design and layout)
• RF design and testing across LNA/HPA, filters, attenuators, LO, synthesizers, modulators
• RF test equipment: Vector Network Analyser, Spectrum Analyser, Oscilloscopes, Power Meters

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