Electro-Optic Seekers & Systems Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

MBDA S.A.S.; Bradley Stoke; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Bradley Stoke is offering an exciting opportunity for students to engage in electro-optic systems development within the Electro-Optics Seekers and Sensors department. This role includes hands-on experience in design, testing, and interdisciplinary collaboration, perfect for those pursuing a degree in Physics, Engineering, or Applied Science. Successful candidates will gain practical experience and contribute to advanced technological development, while enjoying a hybrid working model and various company perks.

Benefits

Company bonus

Pension contribution up to 14%

Paid overtime

25 days annual leave with purchase option

Flexi leave up to 15 additional days

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Qualifications

• Candidates should be working towards a relevant degree in the listed disciplines.
• Demonstrated interest in electro-optic technologies is essential.

Responsibilities

• Participate in designing and certifying EO products.
• Contribute to R&D efforts and work on innovative technologies.

Skills

Interest in electro-optic systems and technologies

Ability to work in a team

Computational modelling skills

Education

Degree in Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Computing or Applied Science

Job description

Would you like to utilise your degree to push the cutting edge of sensing and imaging technology? This opportunity within the Electro-Optics Seekers and Sensors department at MBDA will allow you to innovate within a supportive team, at a company that invests in its people and supports our Armed Forces.

Salary: £23,495

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 2‑3 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. 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 FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 5TH JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

What we can offer you

• 1 year placement: starting September 2026, that allows you to apply your university learning to real‑world projects and technologies.
• Company bonus: based on company performance and will vary year to year.
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%.
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime.
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus option to purchase extra holiday.
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days.
• Facilities: fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more.

The opportunity

The Electro‑Optic (EO) Seekers & Sensors department provides expertise and support into all projects within MBDA involving EO technologies, as well as investing in research and development of innovative technologies which will shape the future of our products. We work on projects that cover the whole product lifecycle from concept and assessment through to full product design, testing and production. This role presents an exciting opportunity to experience all of these areas through a range of systems design, computational modelling, lab testing and field trials within a diverse team of engineers.

EO technologies we specialise in

• Infra‑Red (IR) Seekers & Sensors
• Optics
• Computational Imaging
• Lasers & Directed Energy Weapons

Teams you may work with

• Systems Engineering – Support major MBDA programmes by designing and certifying EO products.
• Technologies – Innovate and develop cutting‑edge technologies alongside experts in the field.
• Modelling and Tools – Generate models for EO systems and use these to predict performance.
• Scene Generation – Create synthetic IR imagery for these models to test different scenarios.
• Trials – Assess real EO systems through lab testing and field trials.

What we’re looking for from you

Working towards a degree in a Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Computing or any Applied Science discipline.

We are looking for candidates with an interest in electro‑optic systems and technologies, who are keen to apply their knowledge and skills to challenge themselves, the team and our technical capability.