Missile Mechanical Architect - Undergraduate Placement 2027

MBDA UK; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 14,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Company bonus

Healthcare Cash Plan

Annual Leave 25 days

Flexi Leave

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Job summary

MBDA UK offers an Undergraduate Mechanical Architect placement for 2027. This exciting year-long scheme lets you apply university learning to real-world missile projects, with a pathway to a graduate role.

You’ll work in the Mechanical Missile Architecture Department, gaining insight across design, verification, and project management while potentially earning a company bonus and healthcare benefits. The role starts September 2027 and requires current undergraduates in Aeronautical/Aerospace,

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate studying for a degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Production/Manufacturing Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Join MBDA’s undergraduate scheme within the Mechanical Missile Architecture Department.
• Establish a coherent top-level missile design and develop the verification and validation strategy.
• Deliver and support a product meeting customer requirements.

Education

Undergraduate degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace or Mechanical or Production/Manufacturing Engineering

Job description

Missile Mechanical Architect - Undergraduate Placement 2027

We're looking for curious minds and fresh perspectives, launch your career with us as a Undergraduate Mechanical Architect and help design systems that shape our future. Salary: £24,460 Dynamic working: 3-4 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. This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 4th January 2027 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you:

• 1 year placement: starting September 2027, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies
• Perform well on your placement and you could secure a graduate role before your final year
• Company bonus: 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
• 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.
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus option to purchase extra holiday
• Flexi Leave: up to 15 additional days
• Facilities: fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

The opportunity:

To join MBDA’s undergraduate scheme within our Mechanical Missile Architecture Department.

Mechanical Missile Architects work between customer requirements and the product development process to:

• Establish a coherent top-level missile design.
• Develop and deliver the missile’s verification and validation strategy.
• Deliver and support a product our customers are satisfied with.

Mechanical Architects are deployed in each of our missile product teams which include products across all stages of the missile lifecycle. They draw upon inputs from stakeholders across the business and perform various technical and project management tasks.

Depending on the product lifecycle stage and specific project needs, mechanical architects will:

• Manage the equipment design process.
• Perform risk analysis, supplier down select and performance trade studies.
• Develop and manage equipment verification and validation process by generating requirements, design verification strategies, supporting trials and procurement specialists etc.
• Manage the on-quality, on-schedule and on-cost delivery of supplier hardware using project management skills and toolsets.

Mechanical Architects work with a wide range of technical functions and provide direct input towards project delivery across the business. Within the role you’ll be working on allocated projects, which could be at any stage of the design lifecycle!

The role comes with the experience of working with various people and departments within MBDA to achieve successful delivery of your project.

During the scheme you’ll get the opportunity to:

• Learn how to manage elements of missile equipment design process.
• Gain a practical understanding of the verification and validation lifecycle of defence products.
• Assist with trials and testing of components and missiles during the development phase.
• Support certification, manufacture and delivery of hardware.

What we're looking for from you:

Current undergraduate studying for a degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or 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.

What we do matters.

Because defence matters.

As a leading company in the defence industry we support our nations by delivering essential military capabilities, both for today and the future. We are proud to be an award‑winning employer and are proud of the growing diversity of our workforce. Our people are the ones who drive our constant innovation and deliver against challenging targets.

Whatever your background, we welcome your application to MBDA UK and look forward to speaking with you soon.