Radio Frequency Systems Engineer - Summer Placement 2027

MBDA; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 14%

Paid overtime

5 days annual leave

Subsidised meals

Free car parking

Job summary

MBDA Missile Systems is offering a 10 week Radio Frequency Systems Engineer placement starting June 2027. The role provides hands-on experience across RF link tech, system design, testing, and modelling within a world-leading defence organisation.

Salary is £24,460 (pro-rata) with dynamic hybrid working (2–3 days on-site). Applicants must be UK citizens or dual nationals and will undergo BPSS checks after an offer. Closing date 4 January 2027.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate working towards a degree in any STEM subject.
• Interest in RF technologies.

Skills

Interest in RF technologies

Undergraduate student

Education

Undergraduate STEM student

Job description

Radio Frequency Systems Engineer - Summer Placement 2027

At MBDA, we are continuing to grow our world leading missile data link and survivability capability. We have a number of exciting opportunities within our Data Link Systems & Radio Frequency Survivability organisation working from research & development, through the early concept phase, to full product design and production programmes.

Salary: £24,460 (pro-rata)

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.

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:

• 10 week placement: Starting June 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

• 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:

The Data Link Systems & Radio Frequency Survivability department is responsible for both the performance of the RF communications links between our missiles, and/or the platforms they are launched from, as well as the survivability of the missiles as they execute missions. Robust communication and survivability using RF techniques are vital to MBDA's customers as they are a key part of ensuring mission success.

As a Radio Frequency Systems Engineer you'll have the opportunity to work on a variety of products, each presenting different technical challenges. We cover the whole product life cycle, from Research and Development in communication technologies, system concepting and design through to product test and verification where our communications systems are proven to work reliably in the most demanding of environments. You'll have the opportunity to be involved in a broad range of technical work, including:

• Requirements engineering

• System design

• Performance modelling

• Product testing & proving

• Researching novel techniques for next generation communication systems

• Electronic warfare

• Missile survivability through stealth and electromagnetic modelling

• Digital signal processing

• Waveform design

• Message protocols using the OSI model

• Software defined radio

You’ll be part of a team of committed and collaborative individuals, where strong relationships are key to our work. Our approachable team are on hand to offer support to help you get the most out of your role – collaboration and innovation are not just buzz words here! Because of the nature of the work we do, you’ll also get to work with other departments across the wider technical community, as well as external customers and suppliers.

Some of the benefits of joining this team are:

• Excellent opportunities for personal development

• Access to a vast array of training and opportunities to learn directly from experts in the field

• Ability to apply technical knowledge to influence the direction of technologies and projects

• Experience products at different phases of the product lifecycle

• Diverse range of roles available creating varied and stimulating work

What we're looking for from you

• Current undergraduate working towards a degree in any STEM subject

• Interest in RF technologies

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.