Manufacturing Test Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual salary review

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension up to 14%

Overtime paid

25 days leave

Flexi Leave

Meal facilities and car parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Job summary

MBDA Bolton is offering a Manufacturing Test Engineer Graduate Programme for 2027. You will work with engineers across the UK on electronics, optics and RF, contributing to testing, documentation and process improvements while rotating through placements.

The role starts with a 2-year programme from September 2027, with 25 days leave, a company bonus up to £2,500 and a starting salary of £31,900 plus a £3,000 joining bonus. Hybrid working is available with on-site predominance.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate studying for a degree in one of the listed disciplines, minimum 2.2.
• Interest in manufacturing test and related disciplines.
• Willingness to work on-site with hybrid flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Diagnosing and fault finding non-conforming products or equipment.
• Authoring instructions and specifications.
• Drafting and publishing drawing packs.
• Analysing test and production related data.
• Introducing new products and equipment into Manufacturing.
• Process improvements.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Fault diagnosis

Drawing & drafting

Test data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

General Engineering & Engineering Design

Physics & Astronomy

Product Design

Production & Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Lab equipment

Job description

Bolton

Manufacturing Test Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

Join the MBDA team and become a key player in ensuring our top-notch manufacturing standards! As a Test Engineer, you'll collaborate with expert engineers across the UK, working on a range of cutting‑edge technologies including electronics, optics, and RF. Your hands‑on approach, combined with office‑based technical work, will see you play a pivotal role in maintaining MBDA's excellence. From drafting drawings to introducing new equipment, process improvements are at the heart of what you'll do, all while contributing to the successful testing and programming of complex systems.

Salary:

£31,900 starting salary plus a £3000 joining bonus.

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working:

Typically a Test Engineer will spend 90% of their time on‑site, working a day every couple of weeks from home if desired, as the type of work permits.

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.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you:

• 2 year Programme: Starting September 2027
• Annual Salary Review
• 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.
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The opportunity:

Manufacturing Test have engineers deployed across three of our UK sites supporting the manufacturing process throughout the whole build cycle from sub-systems to the final product for launch platforms and weapon systems. We support the testing and programming of systems, from circuit cards through to missiles; working with varied technologies including, but not limited to, electronics, mechatronics, optics and RF.

Within Manufacturing Test Engineering you'll be working within a team of Engineers who have varied experiences and expertise, who work together to support a set of equipment. You'll have the opportunity to learn from these Engineers throughout your graduate scheme as you progress through three placements, each with a different team. Test Engineers work closely with several collaborative functions such as Product Design, Test Equipment Design, Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Assurance to support our key customer, Manufacturing Operations.

As a Test Engineer you'll play a meaningful role in maintaining MBDA's reputation for quality, by working to ensure that every product leaving our manufacturing facility meets the high standards expected by the company and our customers. Daily activities for a Test Engineer vary from working hands on with the product on the shop floor and in the lab, to working in the office on technical documentation and drawings. Our regular activities include:

• Diagnosing and fault finding non-conforming products or equipment
• Authoring instructions and/or specifications
• Drafting and publishing drawing packs
• Analysing test and production related data
• Introducing new products and equipment into Manufacturing
• Process improvements

What we're looking for from you:

Current undergraduate studying for a degree in one of the following disciplines, minimum 2.2.

Aerospace Engineering

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

General Engineering & Engineering Design

Physics & Astronomy

Product Design

Production & Manufacturing Engineering

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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