Electronic Manufacturing Test Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

MBDA S.A.S.; Bolton; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An advanced defense technology company in the UK seeks a Test Engineer to help ensure manufacturing excellence. This role involves both hands-on work with complex technologies and related office tasks, including documenting procedures and analyzing production data. Candidates should be working toward a degree in Engineering or related fields, showcasing strong problem-solving abilities and effective teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Must be working towards a degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or Applied Science.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Diagnosing and fault-finding non-conforming products or equipment.
• Authoring instructions and specifications.
• Drafting and publishing drawing packs.
• Analysing test and production-related data.
• Assisting in introducing new products and equipment.

Skills

Fault-finding

Technical documentation

Analytical skills

Engineering principles

Education

Working towards a degree in Engineering or related fields

Job description

Overview

Join the MBDA team and become a key player in ensuring our top‑notch manufacturing standards! As a Test Engineer, you'll collaborate with expert engineers across the UK, working on a range of cutting‑edge technologies including electronics, optics, and RF. Your hands‑on approach, combined with office‑based technical work, will see you play a pivotal role in maintaining MBDA's excellence. From drafting drawings to introducing new equipment, process improvements are at the heart of what you'll do, all while contributing to the successful testing and programming of complex systems.

Key Responsibilities

Test Engineers work closely with several collaborative functions such as Product Design, Test Equipment Design, Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Assurance to support our key customer, Manufacturing Operations. Daily activities for a Test Engineer vary from working hands on with the product on the shop floor and in the lab, to working in the office on technical documentation and drawings.

Your regular activities could include:

• Assisting in diagnosing and fault‑finding non‑conforming products or equipment
• Authoring instructions and/or specifications
• Drafting and publishing drawing packs
• Analysing test and production‑related data
• Assisting in introducing new products and equipment into manufacturing
• Process improvements

Qualifications

Working towards a degree in Engineering (incl. General, Mechanical, Manufacturing/Production, Aeronautical/Aerospace, Civil, Electrical/Electronic and Software), Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Computing or Applied Science.

Background & Placement

Manufacturing Test Engineering is part of the Operations Directorate in MBDA. We have engineers deployed across three of our UK sites supporting the manufacturing process throughout the whole build cycle from sub‑systems to the final product for launch platforms and weapon systems. We support the testing and programming of systems, from circuit cards through to missiles; working with varied technologies including, but not limited to, electronics, mechatronics, optics and RF. Within Manufacturing Test Engineering you'll be working within a team of Engineers who have varied experiences and expertise, who work together to support a set of equipment. You'll have the opportunity to learn from these Engineers throughout your scheme as you participate in two five‑month placements.

Company Culture & Diversity

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.

Other Information

Salary: £23,495

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 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. 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.