Aerodynamics Engineer - Summer Placement 2026

MBDA UK Ltd; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation is offering a Summer Placement for an Aerodynamics Engineer in Bristol. Candidates will work on missile design, receiving mentorship and support to apply their engineering knowledge in practical settings. Ideal for students pursuing a degree related to aerospace or mechanical engineering. The position offers a competitive salary of £23,495 pro-rated, with a dynamic hybrid working pattern.

Benefits

Mentorship from experienced aerodynamicists

Paid overtime opportunities

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Qualifications

• Currently studying towards a relevant degree.
• Experience or modules in aerodynamics and propulsion are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside aerodynamicists in missile aerodynamics.
• Design missiles across different development stages.
• Apply and develop bespoke tools to evaluate airframe performance.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Aeronautical engineering

Fluid Dynamics

Thermodynamics

Education

Degree in Aerospace engineering, Aeronautical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Production/Manufacturing engineering, Mathematics or Physics

Job description

Overview

Aerodynamics Engineer - Summer Placement 2026

Work in one of the most exciting areas of the aerospace industry, alongside a team of outstanding aerodynamicists at the forefront of missile aerodynamics.

Salary and working pattern

Salary: £23,495 pro-rated

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 4-5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security clearance

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.

Closing date: CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 5 JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

What we can offer you

• 10 week placement: starting June 2026, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Annual Leave: 5 days
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...

The opportunity

This placement offers an excellent opportunity to kick-start your aerodynamics career. Work in one of the most exciting areas of the aerospace industry, alongside a team of outstanding aerodynamicists at the forefront of missile aerodynamics.

You will be able to draw on knowledge and experience from specialist aerodynamics engineers. The aerodynamics department at MBDA works on the entire MBDA UK portfolio of products, from concept phase through to in-service support. As a key player in the UK defence industry, we are able to provide outstanding opportunities across a wide range of applications.

Receive mentorship and support from our team of aerodynamicists to learn to use cutting-edge aerodynamic techniques; designing the missiles of the future!

Undertake a placement seeking to expose you to some of the following areas:

• Design of a range of missiles, in all the different stages of their development (concept, assessment, development, in-service)
• Application and development of our bespoke tools alongside commercial software to evaluate the performance of airframes
• Stealth, propulsion, thermal and structural aspects of missile design and how these foster a multi-disciplinary design approach
• Missile integration onto land, naval and air platforms
• Integration of solid rocket motors and air-breathing engines into missile airframes, and assessment of their impact on missile aerodynamics and overall performance.

The project selected for you will utilise much of the knowledge gained during your university course and apply this to an industry specific problem. In the past there have been a mixture of self-contained projects delivering industry relevant conclusions to the aerodynamic team.

What we\'re looking for from you

• Currently studying towards a Degree in an Aerospace engineering, Aeronautical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Production/Manufacturing engineering, Mathematics or Physics discipline.
• Aerodynamics and propulsion based modules are most relevant to this role (such as Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Aircraft Performance, Flight Dynamics & Control etc.), please list any that you have studied on your application.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more...

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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