Manufacturing Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organization is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer for their Graduate Programme 2026. This role involves influencing the producibility of designs and developing processes while working closely with production lines. Ideal candidates will have a degree in a relevant engineering field and an engineering mind-set. The position offers hybrid working but requires significant on-site presence. The salary is £31,500 plus a £3,000 joining bonus.

Benefits

£3,000 joining bonus

Employee-led networks

Support for personal circumstances

Qualifications

• Degree qualified at a minimum of 2.2.
• Ability to translate technical information into practical applications.
• Previous use of relevant engineering tools is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Influence designs for producibility.
• Develop instructions for building products.
• Provide day-to-day support for operators.
• Ensure production line architecture meets requirements.
• Develop new manufacturing processes.

Skills

Engineering Mind-set

Problem-solving

Knowledge of MRP tools (SAP)

Engineering Drawing tools (Creo)

Simulation tools (Simul8)

Education

Degree in Physics or Maths or Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Systems, Electrical/Electronic)

Job description

Overview

Manufacturing Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026

Manufacturing Engineering is part of our Operations directorate based at our Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. Manufacturing consists of Assembly, Integration and Test of all our products for the company. The products we make are delivered directly to the customer/end user and therefore manufacturing are vitally important to the delivery aspects of MBDA's business.

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

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 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 3 November 2025

The opportunity

Manufacturing engineers work closely with design to influence the producibility of designs. They are also responsible for the ‘how’ we build our products including being responsible for:

• Any tooling required to build our products.
• Instructions on how to build our products.
• The cost of manufacture of our products.
• The industrial validations of our production lines and our suppliers.
• Day-to-day support of our operators building our products.
• The architecture of the production lines.
• Developing new manufacturing processes.

Each day for a manufacturing engineer is different, it is a mix of time spent on the shop floor and office based working. There are also opportunities to travel to other MBDA sites and countries, plus visiting suppliers. As part of dynamic working there may be opportunities to do some work remotely, however due to the nature of the job, there will always be a requirement to work on site some of the time.

In Manufacturing, you are also able to not only see but also be part of the realisation of our products.

What we're looking for from you

• Degree qualified in Physics or Maths or various Engineering degrees (Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Systems, Electrical/Electronic and General) to a minimum 2.2

• An ‘Engineering Mind-set’. This is the ability to take technical information and turn it into something that can be used in building our products, the ability to find improvements and cost saving in the production of our products, the problem solving when something needs fixing.

• Training in the use of tools will be provided, as necessary, but previous use of tools such as Simul8, MRP tools (SAP), Engineering Drawing tools (Creo), Configuration Control would be an advantage.

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.