Job Details Systems Design Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026 R30311

MBDA S.A.S.; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense systems company in Bristol is seeking a Systems Design engineer responsible for innovative design solutions across various domains. Candidates should have a relevant degree and strong collaboration skills. This role offers a competitive salary, a joining bonus, and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Pension contributions

Paid annual leave (25 days)

Private medical insurance

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in an Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Maths, Technology, Computing or General Science discipline (minimum 2:2).

Responsibilities

• Researching novel technologies and identifying customer needs.
• Concept development and performance assessment.
• Developing functional architectures and analysing system performance.
• Conducting trade studies and gathering verification evidence.
• Collaborating with engineering and business teams.

Skills

Researching novel technologies

Developing functional architectures

Performance assessment

Collaborating with teams

Education

Degree in Engineering or Science (minimum 2:2)

Job description

Overview

Systems Design engineers are responsible for bringing the full range of design viewpoints together — ensuring customer requirements are met by proposing innovative solutions, honing in on the detailed design, and coordinating with development teams to make best use of their expertise. We offer exposure to a variety of engineering methodologies and processes across all domains — Land, Maritime, Air, and Cyber. Our Systems Design functions in Bristol cover Weapon Systems, Command and Control Systems, Integration and Systems Validation, Emerging Portfolio and Capability, and Sparkworks. Depending on your home function and placement, you may be involved in technology research, deriving requirements, brainstorming concept solutions, developing functional architectures, analysing system performance, conducting trade studies, or gathering verification evidence in the lab or through offsite trials. We cover the whole Systems V Model. Systems Design is suited to those who enjoy the creativity and practicality of working with problems to arrive at logical solutions. Our people are adaptable and the role is varied and fast paced — innovation is the company value we practice the most. We collaborate with people across all engineering fields and business teams, meeting suppliers and customers, and engaging with international MBDA colleagues.

Systems Designers have a high-level view over the whole product definition and lifecycle, laying the foundations for the delivery of future weapons capabilities that achieve the best result for the Customer and MBDA.

Benefits and working arrangements

Salary: £31,500 plus a £3,000 joining bonus

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 3–5 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. After offer, successful candidates will need to undergo BPSS checks managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

We offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions, flexible benefits and career development opportunities. Details below are indicative of the overall offering and may be subject to eligibility.

Responsibilities

As a Systems Design engineer you may be involved in activities across the product lifecycle, including:

• Researching novel technologies and identifying customer needs
• Concept development and performance assessment
• Developing functional architectures and analysing system performance
• Conducting trade studies and gathering verification evidence in lab tests and firing trials
• Collaborating with engineering disciplines and business teams, suppliers and customers

Qualifications

Degree qualified in an Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Maths, Technology, Computing or General Science discipline (minimum 2:2).

Additional benefits and opportunities

Employee benefits include pension contributions, paid annual leave (25 days, with option to purchase extra), flexible leave options, employee assistance programme, private medical insurance, health and leisure coverage, lifestyle discounts and vouchers, learning and development opportunities, and potential for career progression. There are also various staff networks and family-friendly policies. The exact details and eligibility are provided by MBDA during the recruitment process.