Human Factors Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

MBDA UK Ltd; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in Bristol is offering a Human Factors Engineer undergraduate placement for 2026. This role focuses on applying User Centred Design to enhance military equipment usability and safety. Candidates should be pursuing a degree in relevant disciplines like Psychology or Engineering. This hybrid position provides hands-on experience in real-world projects while contributing to military effectiveness.

Benefits

Company bonus based on performance

Pension contributions up to 14%

Paid overtime opportunity

25 days of annual leave plus options

Flexi leave up to 15 additional days

Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals

Qualifications

• Passion to learn and apply User Centred Design principles.
• Ability to conduct research tasks effectively.
• Willingness to participate in user experimentation.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning and conduct of User Experimentation and trials.
• Carry out individual research tasks.
• Conduct workspace assessments and anthropometric modelling.

Skills

User Centred Design

Human Factors Integration

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Integrity

Education

Working towards a degree in Psychology, Engineering, User Centred Design, User Experience Design, Ergonomics/Human Factors, Product Design, Systems Engineering, Cognitive Science or Human Sciences

Tools

Virtual Reality

Artificial Intelligence

Job description

Overview

Bristol — Human Factors Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

The future represents an increasingly dynamic, complex and challenging environment for our military operators. As a Human Factors Engineer, you will apply User Centred Design and Human Factors Integration to effectively identify and resolve human related risks, issues and opportunities, throughout the product lifecycle. The aim of the Human Factors Team is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our products as well as the health, safety, and comfort of our operators.

Salary: £23,495 (pro rata)

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 3 to 4 days per week. The team operates a flexible working model allowing you to work at home where it is possible, however the nature of the job will often require you to be onsite to access specific facilities, personnel or data.

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: Midnight on 5 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 placement is an opportunity for you to develop an appreciation for how people interact with complex equipment and systems from a physical, cognitive and physiological perspective. This will involve conducting research tasks and identifying new technologies that will shape the way military personnel use their equipment in the future. There is the potential opportunity to get "hands on" with kit and work with military users.

Examples of day-to-day activities are provided below. As long as you have a passion to learn and are able to use your integrity and intuition to work out the most suitable course of action, on the job training and guidance will be provided to support you in developing within these areas throughout your placement:

• Taking a Human Centred Design approach to the development of complex systems
• Supporting the planning and conduct of User Experimentation and trials with military users on prototype through to real weapon system equipment and software.
• Carrying out individual research tasks, to provide recommendations and solve problems.
• Conducting workspace assessments and anthropometric modelling tasks.
• Designing and prototyping Human Computer Interface / Human Machine Interface concepts.
• Supporting the development and application of technologies, such as Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence, in future systems.
• Writing reports and creating presentations on areas you've been working on.

What we're looking for from you

Working towards a degree in Psychology, Engineering, User Centred Design, User Experience Design, Ergonomics/Human Factors, Product Design, Systems Engineering, Cognitive Science or Human Sciences 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.

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

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