Project Management & Control – Graduate Programme 2026

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organization is offering a Graduate Programme in Project Management & Control, starting in September 2026. Candidates will engage in a dynamic hybrid working environment with responsibilities in project planning and management across various stages of product life cycles. The ideal candidate should have a background in Business Management and a passion for the technical aspects of projects. This role offers a competitive salary and numerous employee benefits.

Benefits

Salary reviews

Company bonus

Pension contributions

Paid overtime

Generous annual leave

Flexi Leave options

Career progression opportunities

Subsidised meals and free parking

Qualifications

• Must be degree qualified in Business Management.
• Interest in technical aspects of projects is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Gather updates from various business areas for project planning.
• Update project plans, prepare costs, and manage Risk Registers.
• Work with Project Control and Agile teams throughout project lifecycle.

Skills

Business management knowledge

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Business Management discipline (min. 2:2)

Job description

Project Management & Control – Graduate Programme 2026

With continued growth we have opportunities for enthusiastic and motivated graduates to join our team, where you will have the opportunity to grow your skills and develop your career within a collaborative and encouraging environment.

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

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 2-3 days onsite 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

What we can offer you

• 2 year Programme: starting September 2026
• Salary reviews throughout the Programme
• 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…

The opportunity

Throughout the life cycle of our products, it takes a range of people and skills to design, manufacture and deliver what we do for our end customer. Project Management, Project Control and our Agile teams work simultaneously with each other to deliver programmes of work and projects to customers on time, within budget and to agreed specifications. Working with partners throughout our organisation in a fast paced exciting and changing environment, you will be at the very centre of the project - Collating updates and information from all areas of the business, at all levels, to plan what to do next on a given project.

Our Project Managers work with metrics to identify and implement improvements in existing metrics as well as look at ways to improve the existing process for project planning. This involves updating project plans, preparing costs for work with engineers to be presented to senior management and updating Risk Registers. Our Project Control teams look at projects from assessment phases to those in manufacturing and development; you’ll get a full insight to all the different stages of the missile lifecycle. Our Agile teams adopt an iterative approach to delivering our projects; working in sprints and utilising Agile Software technology. Whichever project path you take, our collaborative approach and culture of sharing knowledge will be key to your development. We trust each other to thrive; support one another to learn, and when you join us, you’ll bring a different perspective to how we see the future.

Our Project Control, Management and Agile roles are best suited to those with a Business or Economics background with an interest in our products and the technical aspect of the projects we work on

What we\'re looking for from you

Degree qualified in Business Management discipline to a minimum of 2:2

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.

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