The posting
Location: Hybrid - minimum 2 days per week in office at MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol (or contractor location)
Rate: Up to £550/day (Inside IR35)
Duration: ASAP to 31/03/2027
Deadline for Applications: 13/10/2026 at 10:00
Clearance: Current SC Clearance required for the duration of the requirement
Overview
This role is the Mechanical & Automotive Lead (IDT 1096) within the Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) team, part of the DE&S Land domain. MFP is a ‘Category A’ Government Funded Project and is the CGS’ top priority. This capability is being delivered by Combat Vehicles 1 (CV1) PT.
In 2018 the British Army recognized a requirement to replace the Artillery System 90 (AS90) 39 Calibre, 155mm self-propelled howitzer, which was outmatched by our peers/contemporaries and had an original (OSD 2030). The fleet of AS90s were Gifted in Kind (GiK), to UKR because of a resurgent Russia, thus leaving a capability gap temporarily filled by a limited number of Archer 6X6 (Interim 155).
The RCH155 Howitzer has been down selected by the British Army as the most capable next generation 52 calibre, 155mm, self-propelled howitzer determined to meet the current and future requirements for close support fires with an anticipated ISD 2029 / planned OSD of 2054.
The Project was formally directed by the Army Capability Management Group (ACMG) to accelerate submission of MFP’s FBC. Following this, the Project has awarded 4 contracts to facilitate the manufacture of a Divisional Artillery Group (DAG) - 72 x RCH155:
Delivery of an Early Concept Demonstrator (ECD) Q4 27 – 1 x ECD – Dec ’25.
Long Lead Items – LLI – Feb ’26.
Qualification Range and Accuracy (QRA) of the ECD – Apr ’26.
Series Production 72 x RCH155 – Apr ’26.
Under the Trinity House agreement, the UK, alongside the Federal Republic of Germany have entered into a collaborative procurement activity contracted to procure 4 x ECD RCH155 Platforms from KNDS (Krauss Maffei Wegmann + Nexter Defense Systems – OEM for RCH155) for trials and testing. Alongside this the PT has awarded the production contract for an initial production of RCH155 to provide a Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) by 2029.
This role is to provide the necessary SME support across the above contracts to achieve the desired outcomes.
Key Tasks and Deliverables
Identify and analyse technical hazards /project impacts then contribute to the identification and evaluation of risk reduction measures, ensuring that these are adequately documented and managed.
> Ensuring engineering contractual deliverables meet MoD Policy requirements and systems requirements are met. Documenting and managing the technical risks.
Review and authorise contractor produced technical data, identify non compliances/ and manage to closure
> IAW the ECD, QRA and production contract timescales and deliverables
Support to legalisation assessments, identifying non-conformances and manage to closure
> Technical input into Legislation exemption committee, technical input in to legislation meetings with the contractor
Manage the system test, verification, validation, and evaluation process.
> V&V planning, Scrutiny of contractor supplied V&V data and production of technical reports post trials
Manage and participate in assurance, audit, and reviews activity
> Production and or supply of technical information to support assurance activity.
Support reviews and authorisation of contractor technical publications
> Technical feedback on content of contractor supplied technical documentation
Attendance and support to safety Panels and hazard log working groups
> Systems safety risks are understood and managed.
Desirable Experience / Skills
- Knowledge or experience of military land vehicles and associated systems
Other Information
Hybrid working – minimum of 2 days per week in office (at ABW or Contractor location)
Travel may be required within the UK and EU.
