Software Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

MBDA; West of England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2-year Programme

Annual salary review

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension up to 14%

Overtime paid

25 days annual leave

Flexi leave

Career progression

Site facilities

Healthcare cash plan

Job summary

MBDA is seeking a Software Engineer for its Graduate Programme 2027. You will deliver software for next-generation weapons and participate in a range of placements across the software lifecycle, with exposure to systems engineering and agile project management.

The role is on-site with a starting salary of £31,900 plus a £3,000 joining bonus. The programme includes hands-on development across Windows and Linux using C, C++, C#, and Java, with opportunities to progress and travel.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computing/CS/Engineering/Math/Physics or relevant STEM with minimum 2:2.
• British Citizen or dual UK national for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded and front-end software across Windows and Linux.
• Ensure robustness and maintain technical documentation for deliverables.
• Collaborate with other departments to gain overview of the business.
• Engage with the software lifecycle and agile project management practices.
• Opportunity to travel as part of the programme.

Skills

C/C++

Java

C#

Front-end

Windows/Linux

Agile

Systems eng

Education

STEM degree 2:2

Tools

Git

Jenkins

VS Code

Job description

Software Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

The Software team at MBDA deliver software for the next generation of weapons in an ever evolving environment to support those on the battlefield!

This is a great opportunity to learn and understand fundamentals in the Software life cycle, and Software delivery as well as gain broader skills/exposure such as systems engineering and agile project management. You'll see how software teams interact and collaborate with other stakeholders within MBDA.

Salary:£31,900 starting salary plus £3000 joining bonus.

Dynamic Working: 5 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 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you:

• 2 year Programme: Starting September 2027

• Annual Salary Review

• 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

• 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

The opportunity:

Deliver software for the next generation of weapons, in an ever evolving environment, to support those on the battlefield!

Our teams provide a range of products from high integrity software running on our weapon systems, to mission planning solutions integrated into a complex battlespace arena. We use a variety of programming languages, software tools and software lifecycle methodologies to achieve this.

You will develop the skills necessary to become a well-rounded software engineer. This goal will be achieved through a combination of technical training, four challenging work placements and development activities such as:

• Working closely with other teams in a variety of development stages within our weapons systems including both embedded and front end software development on a range of platforms, such as Windows and Linux, utilising C, C++, C# and Java.

• Ensuring the functional and technical robustness of project deliverables

• Owning responsibility for the creation and maintenance of technical documentation.

• Working with other departments within the company, learning a general overview of the business.

• You'll get exposure to all aspects of a software development lifecycle, a chance to collaborate with others in the annual multi-national Software Engineering Challenge, and opportunities to travel.

What we're looking for from you:

Degree qualified in Computing/Computer Science, Engineering (incl. Aeronautical/Aerospace, Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical or Software), Mathematics, Physics or relevant STEM discipline to a minimum 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.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information