Aerodynamics Engineer - Summer Placement 2027

targetjobs UK; West of England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 week placement

Pension up to 14%

Overtime: paid overtime

Graduate role potential

Annual leave: 5 days

Subsidised meals and car parking

Job summary

MBDA UK is offering a placement in aerodynamics, providing hands-on work with leading engineers in missile design. You will engage with projects across concept to in-service stages and apply university learning to real-world challenges.

Expect mentorship from senior engineers, exposure to bespoke tools and industry software, and the chance to secure a graduate role after graduation. 4–5 days on-site work and a 10-week placement starting June 2027.

Qualifications

• Currently studying towards a degree in aerospace/aero/ mechanical engineering, mathematics or physics.
• Aerodynamics and propulsion modules (e.g., Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Aircraft Performance).

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design of missiles across concept, development and in-service stages.
• Utilise bespoke tools and commercial software to evaluate airframe performance.
• Explore stealth, propulsion, thermal and structural aspects in missile design.
• Contribute to missile integration on land, naval and air platforms.
• Support industry problems with practical, industry-relevant conclusions.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Aeronautical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Production/Manufacturing engineering

Mathematics

Physics

Education

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

Job description

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

£24,460 (pro-rata)

Dynamic working

4-5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

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. All successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS).

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 4th January 2027 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What We Can Offer You

• 10 week placement: starting June 2027, 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
• Perform well on your placement and you could secure a graduate role before your final year
• 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.