Integration & Missile Validation Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

MBDA Missile Systems; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension up to 14%

Overtime opportunities

25 days annual leave

15 days flexi leave

Job summary

MBDA Missile Systems is offering a graduate programme for Integration & Missile Validation (IMV) Engineers in 2027. The role involves hands-on testing across software and hardware, with opportunities to participate in ground, flight, and functional trials throughout the product development lifecycle.

The programme starts in 2027 with pathway to develop test strategies, data analysis, and hands-on lab/offsite proving activities. A 2-year programme with progression opportunities is provided.

Qualifications

• Degree required in Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Technology, Computing or General Science with a 2:2 minimum.

Responsibilities

• Ground Trials: test robustness via vibration, shock and climate tests.
• Flight Trials: simulate missile behaviour by integrating subsystems onto aircraft.
• Functional/ Firing Trials: demonstrate systems work and meet customer expectations.
• In-Service Support: test and monitor fielded products with customers.

Education

Engineering/Physics/Mathematical Sciences/Technology/Computing or General Science degree

Job description

Integration & Missile Validation Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

MBDA develop some of the world's highest performing weapon systems; but how do we demonstrate and prove this? Integration and Missile Validation (IMV) is an integral part to ensuring our weapon systems meet customer requirements and increasing the sovereign capability. Within this role, you will experience the many aspects of proving to become a well-rounded IMV Engineer.

Salary

£31,900 plus a £3000 joining bonus.

Dynamic working

4-5 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.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

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

The Integration and Missile Validation (IMV) team are responsible for trials and testing activities undertaken to provide verification and validation evidence for all the missile programmes within the business.

Whether it's software, hardware, or an entire missile system, IMV engineers lead the real-world test and integration across the whole product development lifecycle. This includes planning, lab testing, offsite trials, data analysis, and reporting.

• Examples of IMV activities you could be involved with include:
• Ground Trials: Testing the robustness of our products through various environments to ensure it can survive and operate within the real world. This can involve vibration, shock and climatic testing.
• Flight Trials: Integrating subsystems onto aircraft to simulate the behaviour of the missile during flight.
• Functional Integration: Demonstrating hardware and software of systems work together and respond as expected.
• Firing Trials: Final evaluation testing to ensure the full weapon system works and demonstrating the capability of the product to the customer.
• In-Service Support: Testing and monitoring in-service products with the customer.
• Support Trials and Test Equipment: Designing support test equipment and software to support proving activities.

As part of completing these activities, you will have the opportunity to learn:

• How to plan and design test strategies to support proving the capability of various missile systems.
• How to integrate various missile equipment to test rigs.
• To develop your problem-solving skills through debugging test systems.
• Strengthen software skills through generating test scripts.
• To develop confidence with handling various hand and power tools.
• How to design, develop and use test equipment to support overall proving activities.
• To increase confidence in the processing, analysing and forming conclusions from data, as well as writing technical documentation.

Whether your background is in engineering, sciences, maths or any STEM related subject, you will enjoy this role if you:

• Enjoy team collaboration and the opportunity to communicate technical information with a variety of teams.
• Like to find solutions to problems using creativity and new ways of thinking.
• Find exploring new experiences and developing new skills exciting.
• Are logical in the methods you use to prove.
• Are eager to get hands‑on supporting work within a lab environment or offsite on a trial.

What we're looking for from you

Degree qualified in an Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Technology, Computing or a General Science discipline to 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…

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.