Complex Warheads: Lethality Engineer - Summer Placement 2027

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 week placement

Pension: up to 14%

Overtime: paid overtime

Annual Leave: 5 days

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Job summary

MBDA in the United Kingdom invites undergraduates in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computing or Applied Science to join a 10-week placement starting June 2027. You will apply university learning to real-world missile lethality modelling using MATLAB and CAD inputs, with mentorship from experienced engineers.

The role offers on-site work with a blended approach to remote working and the possibility of a graduate offer.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate working toward a degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computing or Applied Science.

Responsibilities

• Apply a bespoke set of modelling tools to evaluate and investigate the lethal performance of missile systems.
• Work with in‑house MATLAB models; assist with inputs from CAD tools where applicable.
• Develop knowledge in fuzing techniques, warhead technologies and lethality assessment methods.
• Collaborate with MBDA departments across Europe on short tasks and projects.

Job description

Complex Warheads: Lethality Engineer - Summer Placement 2027

Are you interested in modelling the lethal performance of MBDA's Complex Weapon Systems? Come and join our niche group of engineers, enabling MBDA to provide world leading defence capabilities for our home Nations and Allies.

Salary: £24,460 (pro-rata)

Dynamic working: 3-4 days on site to begin with, and as you gain confidence and experience we will seek to accommodate a blended approach to on-site and remote working. If preferential, full time on site working is also an option.

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.

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

• Perform well on your placement and you could secure a graduate role before your final year

• 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 is an outstanding opportunity to join a niche group of engineers with mixed expertise, involved in assessing the lethal performance of various missile systems. The skills we utilise are not typical in academia and so joining the team presents an opportunity for you to develop knowledge in numerous aspects of missile lethality that you would not develop anywhere else!

With support and mentorship from the team's engineers, you'll be involved in applying a bespoke set of modelling tools to evaluate and investigate the lethal performance of developing and future missile systems against a range of targets. Our in-house tools are principally fast running evaluation models written in MATLAB; however, other tools such as CAD design software are also used to provide inputs to our models.

Joining us will build your knowledge and enable you to apply an understanding of fuzing techniques, warhead technologies, lethal effects and lethality assessment modelling methods to various types of missile systems in development by MBDA.

You will be encouraged to work on your own or in a small team, with limited supervision, as required, on short tasks (typically a few weeks to a few months in duration). Some projects may include collaboration with other MBDA departments around Europe.

What we're looking for from you:

Current undergraduate working towards a degree in an Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computing or Applied Science discipline.

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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