Missile Architecture - Summer Placement Programme 2026

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading defence organization is offering a Summer Placement Programme 2026 in Missile Architecture. Participants will work on real-world projects, gaining broad knowledge across various engineering domains. Candidates should be pursuing a degree in engineering or physics, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and design. This hybrid position allows for 2-3 days of on-site work per week.

Benefits

10 week placement starting June 2026

Pension contributions up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

5 days annual leave

Subsidised meals and free parking

Qualifications

• Working towards a degree in relevant engineering or physics disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Gain awareness across four domains within Missile Architecture.
• Focus on a specific domain impacting delivery or improvement activity.
• Collaborate with experienced engineers for development.

Skills

Engineering or Physics degree

Curiosity and fresh perspectives

Education

Pursuing a degree in Engineering (incl. Aeronautical/Aerospace, Electrical/Electronic, Systems and Safety) or Physics

Job description

Overview

Missile Architecture - Summer Placement Programme 2026

We're looking for curious minds and fresh perspectives, launch your career with us as Missile Architecture and help design systems that shape our future.

Salary & Working

Salary: £23,495 pro-rated

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 2-3 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 5 January 2026 (subject to application volumes)

What we can offer you

• 10 week placement: starting June 2026, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Annual Leave: 5 days
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more

The Opportunity

Missile Architects at MBDA are deployed across all of the company's project teams. They draw upon a range of inputs from around the company to drive a coherent top-level design for our missiles. Missile Architecture Function within MBDA consists of:

• Electrical Architecture
• Test and Testability Architecture
• Safety and Reliability
• Mechanical Architecture

During the programme, you will be working on allocated projects or improvement initiative, which could be at any stage of its lifecycle!

Although you may focus your time on one of the engineering disciplines listed, you will get the opportunity to gain awareness and knowledge on all four areas of Missile Architecture, providing you with a unique breadth in knowledge in a short period.

What successful candidates will do

• Gain a breadth of awareness and knowledge across the four domains within Missile Architecture
• Be given tasking focused on one domain which will directly affect delivery or an improvement activity
• Have the opportunity to spend time with experienced engineers to support your development

What we\'re looking for

Working towards a degree in Engineering (incl. Aeronautical/Aerospace, Electrical/Electronic, Systems and Safety) or Physics discipline.

Our company

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.