Integration & Systems Validation Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026

MBDA UK Ltd; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization is seeking an Integration & Systems Validation Engineer for their Graduate Programme starting in 2026. The successful candidate will conduct real-world tests of missile systems, collaborate with teams, and require a degree in a relevant field. A salary of £31,500 plus a £3,000 joining bonus is offered, along with numerous benefits and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension contribution up to 14%

25 days annual leave

Flexi leave up to 15 additional days

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Qualifications

• Degree qualified to a minimum of 2:2 in an engineering or science discipline.
• Ability to communicate across technical and non-technical teams.
• Confident in processing, analyzing and forming conclusions from data.

Responsibilities

• Conduct real-world tests of software, hardware, and missile systems.
• Plan tests and trials campaigns with attention to detail.
• Design support tools and evolve prototype designs.

Skills

Practical mindset

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Sciences or related fields

Tools

Test equipment

Job description

Overview

Integration & Systems Validation Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026 MBDA develop some of the world's highest performing weapon systems; but how do we demonstrate and prove this? This is the challenge that Integration and Systems Validation (ISV) are facing.

Salary: £31,500 plus a £3000 joining bonus.

Dynamic (Hybrid) 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.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 3RD NOVEMBER 2025

What we can offer you

• 2 year Programme: starting September 2026
• Salary reviews throughout Programme
• 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...

The opportunity

The Integration and System Validation (ISV) team are responsible for assuring MBDA and our customer that the final product meets its requirements and is suitable for use. The trials and testing activities undertaken provide verification and validation evidence for all the missile programmes within the business.

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

Examples of ISV activities you could be involved with include:

• Ground Trials: demonstrating our products work across the extremes of environment.
• Firing Trials: end-to-end evaluation firings and customer demonstrations.
• Flight Trials: integrating and trialing our systems on fast jets and helicopters.
• Integration: demonstrating functional and electrical compatibility of hardware and software.
• In-Service Support: testing and monitoring in-service products with the customer.
• Trials Equipment: designing support tools and helping evolve prototype designs.

You will likely have opportunities to travel throughout the UK and internationally to support these activities.

An ISV engineer will be:

• Practically minded and interested in conducting real-world test of software, hardware and missile systems.
• Creative and practical so that they can work with complex problems and derive logical solutions.
• Solid in their understanding of engineering principles across mechanical, electrical and functional domains, and in the use of test equipment and lab facilities.
• A strong team player who has the ability to communicate across technical and non-technical teams/departments.
• Able to plan tests and trials campaigns, through adaptability, organisation, attention to detail, and dealing with ambiguity.
• Confident in processing, analysing and forming conclusions from data, as well as writing technical documentation.

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

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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