Software Modelling Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2026

MBDA UK Ltd; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organization is offering a Software Modelling Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Stevenage. This four-year program is fully funded, allowing apprentices to study for a BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions while gaining hands-on experience in system modelling. Applicants should have at least 5 GCSEs including Maths and English, and either A levels or a BTEC in Engineering. This apprenticeship offers a salary of £18,750 and additional benefits including a £3000 joining bonus and paid travel expenses.

Benefits

Fully funded qualification

Paid travel expenses

Annual pay reviews

25 days annual leave

Study leave during exam periods

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English, Maths and a Science subject.
• 3 A levels including Maths at Grade B and another STEM subject at Grade C.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at minimum DDM including Distinction in Further Maths.

Responsibilities

• Develop reliable and cost-effective system performance models.
• Provide verification methods for system performance.
• Work collaboratively with other departments and companies on simulations.

Skills

Mathematics

System Modelling

C/C++

Agile Working Practices

Education

5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English, Maths, and a Science/Technology subject

3 A levels including Maths at Grade B and another STEM subject at Grade C

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at minimum DDM

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Stateflow

Fortran

Job description

Software Modelling Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2026

Salary: £18,750 plus a £3000 joining bonus

Work Location: MBDA Stevenage

Learning Provider Location: Cranfield MK:U

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 FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 23RD JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

What we can offer you:

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2026
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

The opportunity

System modelling is a vital tool used to ensure MBDA provides reliable and cost efficient weapon systems to our customers! We build a variety of dynamic system performance models, embedded systems and real time models for MBDA products. Our models are developed and used extensively throughout the product lifecycle, from feasibility through to service support. When used internally our performance models allow our system designers to estimate performance which they can use to guide the product design. For our customer, these models provide a method of verifying system performance, whilst reducing reliance on prohibitively expensive testing and trials. Our real time models contribute to training environments for pilots and provide numerous engineering testing capabilities. Once the product is in service, the customer continues to use our models to understand the systems and assist with operator training.

Models of modern weapon systems consist of a large number of automated subsystems integrated together to provide the overall capability. This provides unique challenges when:

• Developing accurate system models that are both large in scale and highly sophisticated with many interdependencies.
• Developing lower fidelity models designed to run at real time whilst maintaining an accurate representation of the weapon system.

As a model developer this means you will often encounter new and exciting challenges which will require you to apply intuition and innovation to optimally tackle!

Programming languages and environments you will learn:

• Mathworks (MATLAB, Simulink and Stateflow)
• Fortran
• C/C++

Our teams implement Agile working practices and dynamic working across multiple projects to meet demand, aided by the use of collaborative tools. We work closely with other departments and companies to integrate subsystem models and design data. From these interactions you'll gain a broad understanding of each subsystem that makes up the weapon, and how the system architecture integrates the subsystems to provide an overall capability.

Programme structure

You will study towards a BSc (Hons) degree in Digital and Technology Solutions Software Engineer at Cranfield MK:U, which is fully funded by MBDA over four years. Course delivery is a blend of virtual and face to face.

This apprenticeship programme contains one virtual study day a week (on average) with the university and the remainder of the working week is spent in rotational placements round the Simulation & Modelling department. At the start and end of each module, you will spend three days learning on site at university. You'll gain vast experience on multiple projects and develop diverse abilities to complete tasks.

Placements outside the department are also encouraged for our apprentices to gain knowledge of the wider business.

Find more details about the course here: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/MKU/MKU-Digital-and-Technology-Solutions

What we’re looking for from you

This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying otherwise your application will not be considered. If you are currently studying and predicted to meet these requirements by the start date you are welcome to apply.

GCSEs:

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4

This must include:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Any Science or Technology subject

After GCSEs:

• 3 x A levels to include Maths at Grade B as minimum plus another STEM subject at Grade C or above. Grades below a C will not be considered.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at a minimum grade of DDM including a Distinction in Further Maths module.
• T-Level at Merit or Distinction in an Engineering subject

Please note: We look at entry criteria based on your top three full A Levels or equivalent qualifications (BTEC/T Level). We do not include UCAS points gained from an Extended Project Qualification. Additionally, as an employer we set our own entry criteria based on the requirements of this role. This means that the criteria above may differ from the university.

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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