Project Management & Control - Undergraduate Placement 2026

MBDA Missile Systems; Bolton; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in Bolton is offering a Project Management & Control Undergraduate Placement for 2026. This dynamic role allows students to apply university learning to real-world projects while gaining valuable insights from experienced project managers. Candidates should be working towards a degree in Business Management. The position offers a competitive salary of £23,495, with opportunities for bonuses, annual leave, and paid overtime, in a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Company bonus

Pension contribution up to 14%

Paid overtime

25 days annual leave plus options

Fantastic site facilities

Flexi Leave up to 15 additional days

Qualifications

• Working towards a degree in a Business Management discipline.

Responsibilities

• Updating project plans.
• Preparing cost reports from the project which are presented to senior management.
• Updating Risk Registers and working with metrics to identify and implement improvements in reporting methods.

Job description

Project Management & Control - Undergraduate Placement 2026

Throughout the life cycle of our products, it takes a range of people and skills to design and craft and deliver what we do for our end customer. One of the most integral roles comes from our Project Management and Controls Function.

Salary

£23,495

Working Arrangement

Dynamic (Hybrid): 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 5th January 2026 (subject to application volumes).

What we can offer you

• 1 year placement: starting September 2026, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies
• 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…

The opportunity

Project Management and Project Control work simultaneously with each other to deliver programmes of work and projects to customers and end users on time, within budget and to the agreed specification. 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.

You will help deliver exciting new sophisticated technology and engineering projects, gaining on the job training from experienced professional project managers and project controllers. Further develop analytical skills to define and develop sophisticated plans, maintain work and cost breakdown structures and creation of performance reports.

Learn to adapt your communication style for a variety of business partners – working with engineers and other business areas, external customers and project partners. Build on your influencing, communication, motivation and team building skills to encourage the wider teams to meet schedule and cost objectives. Gain a broad understanding of the business through hands‑on roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Updating project plans
• Preparing cost reports from the project which are presented to senior management
• Updating Risk Registers and working with metrics to identify and implement improvements in reporting methods, as well as look at ways to improve the existing process for project planning.

You will gain experience in: Fundamental Project Management skills, supporting senior managers, presentation skills, influencing skills, creating and updating Risk Registers, programming and risk tools.

What we're looking for from you

Working towards a degree in a Business Management discipline.

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.