Integration & Systems Validation Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

MBDA UK Ltd; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in Stevenage seeks an Integration & Systems Validation Engineer for an undergraduate placement starting in September 2026. This role involves real-world testing and validation of missile systems, performing various trials, and requires a solid understanding of engineering principles. Competitive salary and hybrid working model offered.

Benefits

Company bonus based on performance

Pension with up to 14% contribution

Paid overtime opportunities

25 days annual leave plus options to purchase

Flexi leave opportunities up to 15 additional days

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Qualifications

• Practical mindset for testing software, hardware, and missile systems.
• Solid understanding across mechanical, electrical, and functional domains.
• A strong team player who communicates well with technical and non-technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct real-world testing and validation of missile systems.
• Plan and execute trials and testing activities.
• Analyse data and produce technical documentation.

Skills

Engineering principles

Creativity and problem-solving

Team collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Current undergraduate in Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Technology, Computing, or General Science discipline

Job description

Overview

Integration & Systems Validation Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026 MBDA develop some of the world's highest performing weapon systems; this is the challenge that Integration and Systems Validation (ISV) are facing.

Salary: £23,495

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: 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 Integration and System Validation (ISV) team are responsible for assuring MBDA and the 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 trialling 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

Current undergraduate studying towards an Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Technology, Computing or a General Science 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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