Systems Design Engineer - Summer Placement 2026

MBDA; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in Bristol is seeking a Systems Design Engineer for a summer placement in 2026. This 10-week role allows students to apply university learnings in a dynamic, hybrid working environment. Candidates should be dedicated to problem-solving and collaboration, with an ongoing degree in Engineering or a related field. The role involves innovative thinking throughout various development phases, contributing to the future of weapon capabilities.

Benefits

Paid overtime

Pension contribution up to 14%

Subsidized meals

Free car parking

5 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Working towards a relevant degree in Engineering or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering teams to propose innovative solutions.
• Ensure customer requirements are met by coordinating with development teams.
• Engage in technology research and develop functional architectures.

Skills

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Degree in Engineering, Science, Computing, Maths, or Technology

Job description

Systems Design Engineer - Summer Placement 2026

Systems Design is at the heart of the product lifecycle, providing an opportunity to experience every phase of development and collaborate across all engineering disciplines. From researching novel technologies and identifying customer needs, through concept development and performance assessment, to product verification in lab tests and firing trials - Systems Design underpins it all.

Salary: £23,495 pro‑rated

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 3‑5 days a week depending on project

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 5TH JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

What we can offer you

• 10 week placement: starting June 2026, that allows you to apply your university learning to real‑world projects and technologies
• 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

Systems Design engineers are responsible for bringing the full range of design viewpoints together - ensuring customer requirements are met by proposing innovative solutions, honing in on the detailed design, and coordinating with development teams to make best use of their expertise. We offer exposure to a variety of engineering methodologies and processes across all domains - Land, Maritime, Air, and Cyber.

Our Systems Design functions in Bristol are Weapon Systems, Command and Control Systems, Integration and Systems Validation, Emerging Portfolio and Capability, and Sparkworks. Depending on your home function and choice of placements, you may be involved in technology research, deriving requirements, brainstorming concept solutions, developing functional architectures, analysing system performance, conducting trade studies, or gathering verification evidence in the lab or through offsite trials - we cover the whole Systems V’ Model!

Systems Design is suited to those that enjoy the creativity and practicality of working with problems to arrive at logical solutions. Our people are adaptable and the role is varied and fast paced - innovation is the company value that we practice the most. We collaborate with people across all engineering fields and business teams, meeting suppliers and customers, and engaging with international MBDA colleagues. Systems Designers have a high‑level view over the whole product definition and lifecycle, laying the foundations for the delivery of future weapons capabilities that achieve the best result for the Customer and MBDA.

What we’re looking for from you

Working towards a degree in an Engineering, Science, Computing, Maths, or Technology 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.

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