Operational Analysis Placement 2027

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Pension

Overtime

25 days annual leave

Flexi Leave up to 15 days

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Healthcare cash plan

Job summary

MBDA offers a 1-year undergraduate placement in Operational Analysis in Stevenage, starting September 2027. You will apply university learning to real-world projects and may be on-site up to five days per week depending on work classification.

You will gain experience in data analysis, statistics, and problem solving, with access to learning platforms and potential progression to a graduate role. Security clearance is required for this defence-focused role.

Qualifications

• Analytical and problem solving mindset required.
• Interest in defence and how analytical methods solve complex operational challenges.
• Currently studying towards a relevant analytical or defence related degree (Maths, Physics, Systems Engineering, Computational Studies, War Studies, Operational Research, Economics, Statistics).

Responsibilities

• Support OA team activities through research and analysis.
• Run analytical models and produce reports or presentations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across defence contracts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Interest in defence

Education

Analytical/Defence related degree

Job description

Salary: £24,460

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 3 days per week on-site hybrid working pattern. There may be times we ask you to work up to 5 days per week on site subject to work 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
• 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…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical,

The opportunity:

• Operational Analysis (OA) is a scientific approach to problem solving by applying analytical methods and tools in order to support and improve decision-making.
• Through qualitative and quantitative methods, the OA team supports a diverse set of activities.
• This includes working for both internal MBDA customers and external contracts across defence.

The OA Team is involved with:

• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and learning how operational, engineering and strategic considerations interact.
• Applying problem solving and critical thinking to complex questions across all the domains.
• Developing valuable technical skills in areas that are unique to the team e.g. data analysis, statistics, historical analysis, wargaming and scenario building.
• As an Undergraduate within the OA Team, you will likely be supporting a number of different activities throughout your placement.
• This includes undertaking research, running analytical models, and producing reports or presentations.

What we're looking for from you:

• An analytical and problem solving mind set.
• A genuine interest in defence and how analytical methods can solve complex operational challenges.
• Currently studying towards a relevant analytical or defence related degree including, but not limited to; Maths, Physics, Systems Engineering, Computational Studies, War Studies, Operational Research, Economics, Statistics.

Information

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of online learning platforms such as Percipio, YouLearn, Career Builder and Video Gateway. Each one is tailored to a specific type of learning. Speak to your line manager to find out more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. You’ll have access to our Learning Gateway, which hosts the formal course catalogue and is where you can select the right training for your role and future development. The catalogue displays which courses are being delivered virtually or are classroom based. If you want to lead a team, you might be interested in our management training, designed for people of all experience levels.

The way we work is changing and your schedule will reflect that. For non-executive employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.

For further information, please view our Security & Vetting page.

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.

Application Process

1. Submit an application

Our application form contains a few factual questions, some questions relating to the role you have applied for and a section for you to tell us all about you!

2. Online assessment - Part One

Next in our process is part one of our online strengths assessment, completely tailored to our business and early careers schemes. After completing our assessment you'll receive a personalised report.

3. Online assessment - Part Two

Part two of our online assessments include three video recorded tasks which are authentic work scenario based activities which you could be doing on your programme - we refer to these as job simulations.

4. Assessment centre

Our strength based assessment centre is a half day virtual experience! You’ll get to work on a range of tasks, meet current programme members and people from the department you have applied for. All candidates receive feedback on their performance.

5. Offer

We’ll call you within a week of your assessment day to talk through your feedback and the finer details of your offer, as well as next steps.