Job Details Aerodynamics Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026 R29695

MBDA S.A.S.; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in the UK is seeking graduates for a 2-year program starting September 2026. You will undertake four 6-month placements, gaining exposure to various aspects of missile design and integration. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant discipline and strong knowledge in aerodynamics and propulsion. The role offers competitive benefits, including annual leave, a bonus, and development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days of paid annual leave

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension contributions up to 14%

Paid overtime opportunities

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Qualifications

• Aerodynamics and propulsion based modules are most relevant to this role.

Responsibilities

• Undertake four 6-month placements in missile design and integration.
• Gain extensive technical knowledge through company-lead courses.
• Participate in personal and professional development courses.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Mechanical engineering

Mathematics

Physics

Education

Degree in Aerospace engineering, Aeronautical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Production/Manufacturing engineering, Mathematics or Physics (min 2:2)

Job description

Undertake four 6-month placements giving exposure to the various aspects of the department, seeking to expose you to the following areas:

• Design of a range of missiles, in all the different stages of their development (concept, assessment, development, in-service)
• Application and development of our bespoke tools alongside commercial software to evaluate the performance of airframes
• Stealth, propulsion, thermal and structural aspects of missile design and how these feed in to a multi-disciplinary design approach
• Missile integration onto land, naval and air platforms
• Integration of solid rocket motors and air-breathing engines into missile airframes, and assessment of their impact on missile aerodynamics and overall performance

Participate in personal and professional development courses run specifically for graduates and gain technical knowledge from a vast number of company-lead internal technical courses alongside many Chartered Engineers from a number of professional bodies. One of the 6 month placements can be external to Aero. Past graduates have arranged external placements at such companies as Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, DSTL, ARA, S&C Thermofluids and Roxel Motors.

Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays. After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones. You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.

Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.

Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a 'Defined Contribution' plan in the Mercer Master Trust, administered by Scottish Widows. The standard contributions are 4% of an employee's base salary and 6% employer contributions.

Financial Awareness - Employees have access to free financial webinars hosted throughout the year, along with access to a financial education website which provides plenty of useful hints, tips and guidance on managing financial wellness.

Share Incentive Plan - Acquire shares in our UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, the scheme is tax efficient on shares purchased. Mortgage Advice - As part of our financial wellbeing initiative employees can access free of charge mortgage advice and webinars.

Critical Illness - To help reduce the financial impact after being diagnosed with a critical illness, employees receive a tax-free lump sum payment that can be used for any purpose including covering medical expenses, adjustments to lifestyle and more.

Employee Assistance Programme - The Employee Assistance Programme is free, independent, confidential and is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year.

Degree qualified in an Aerospace engineering, Aeronautical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Production/Manufacturing engineering, Mathematics or Physics discipline (minimum 2:2). Aerodynamics and propulsion based modules are most relevant to this role.

The aerodynamics department at MBDA works on the entire MBDA UK portfolio of products, from concept phase through to in-service support. As a key player in the UK defence industry, we are able to provide outstanding opportunities across a wide range of applications.

We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave.

• 2 year Programme: starting September 2026
• Salary reviews throughout the 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…