Guidance, Control and Navigation Engineer Graduate Programme 2027

Higherin; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual salary review

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension up to 14%

Overtime paid

25 days annual leave

Flexi leave up to 15 days

Healthcare cash plan

Free car parking

Job summary

MBDA invites you to join the GCN team in the UK to advance trajectory guidance, autopilot control, and navigation strategies for complex missile systems. You will work on algorithm design, sensor fusion, and AI enhancements across software tools like MATLAB/SIMULINK.

The role emphasizes on-site work with opportunities to contribute to next‑generation weapon systems while developing technical proficiency and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering or Computing (2:2 or higher).
• Willingness to obtain security clearance as required.
• Desire to work on site in the UK and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Work across Guidance, Control, Navigation, and Command and Control to improve missile trajectory and target interception.
• Design autopilot algorithms and tune control surfaces for stable flight dynamics.
• Estimate missile state from onboard sensors and perform data fusion from radars, IMUs, and seekers.
• Implement AI techniques to enhance GCN performance and tackle new challenges.

Education

Physics/Mathematics/Engineering/Computing (2:2)

Tools

MATLAB/SIMULINK

Job description

The algorithms we design in Guidance, Control and Navigation (GCN) lie at the heart of all of the highly complex MBDA missile and weapon systems.

We're involved in every phase of the product's life cycle, from concept through to service.

Salary: £31,900 plus a £3000 joining bonus

Dynamic Working: 5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

What we can offer you

• 2 year Programme: Starting September 2027
• Annual Salary Review
• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (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
• Excellent career progression and development opportunities
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The opportunity

In this role, you'll build your skills across our four specialist areas;

• Guidance - figuring out a suitable trajectory, providing an effective route to target interception and improving the probability of defeating a target
• Control - designing and tuning autopilot algorithms, for various control surfaces, to maintain stable flight dynamics and achieve the guidance demands
• Navigation - estimating the current missile state (position, velocity and altitude/orientation) using measurements from a range of on-board sensors
• Command and Control - designing weapon-system level algorithms to track and evaluate incoming threats, plan engagements, and provide additional mission context to the operator

This is a great environment and opportunity to learn, broadening your technical knowledge of the design and function of a complex weapon system through visibility of a wide range of work; from researching and developing futuristic technologies through to being on the design team for current high-profile projects.

Join a supportive and experienced team who will encourage you to develop your skills in coding and modelling, mathematics, flight dynamics and control theory – as well as utilising tools such as MATLAB/SIMULINK daily.

You’ll experience a variety of activities in this role, which could include:

• Integrated navigation, such as 'Terrain Reference Navigation', 'GPS integration', and ‘Image Based Navigation'
• Autopilot and control system design and analysis, including dual-mode control, thrust vector control, etc.
• Algorithms for mid-course guidance, terminal guidance, target tracking and selectivity
• Data fusion to combine data from multiple sensors. For example, radars, seekers, IMUs, etc.
• Implementing AI techniques including neural networks and deep learning to improve traditional GCN algorithms and solve new challenges
• Designing autonomous decision-making systems for use in complex collective missions.

Work collaboratively across engineering teams to develop your understanding of propulsion, aerodynamics, seekers, sensors and actuators, and how these technologies integrate within a complex missile system. Experience working within one of the many international teams in MBDA, with the GCN function in Paris and Rome - This doesn't necessarily equate to travel but you may be offered the option where the opportunity arises.

What we’re looking for from you

• Degree qualified in Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering or Computing discipline to a minimum of 2:2

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…

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Apply

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 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

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.