Systems Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

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

Job summary

A leading defense organization is seeking a Systems Engineer for an Undergraduate Placement starting in September 2026. You will work on designing Complex Weapons capabilities, applying your academic knowledge to real-world projects. The position offers a salary of £23,495, a company bonus, and hybrid working arrangements. Ideal candidates are studying relevant engineering or science degrees.

Benefits

Company bonus based on performance

Pension contribution up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

25 days annual leave plus more

Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals

Qualifications

• Currently studying towards a degree in a relevant technical discipline.
• Ability to apply university learning to real-world projects.

Responsibilities

• Designing Complex Weapons capabilities for Armed Forces.
• Developing requirements and functional architectures using Agile methodologies.
• Conducting verification and validation through trials and tests.

Skills

Engineering principles

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Studying towards a degree in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Technology, Computing or General Science

Job description

Overview

Systems Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

Salary: £23,495

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: Where possible, we will seek to accommodate a blended approach to on-site and remote working, but this will depend on project requirements and the need for access to specific site facilities.

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 after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), managed by MBDA Personnel Security Team.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 5 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

Working within one of our Systems Design functions, you will be involved in designing the latest Complex Weapons capabilities for the UK and partner nation Armed Forces in response to advanced threats in Air, Land, Maritime and Cyber domains.

You’ll complete a placement based on a project that could be at any stage in a range of areas, from future capabilities to in-service products. Through the placement, we\'ll help you understand the make-up of a missile or a weapon system; from the warhead to the seeker in the missile to the wider weapon system components.

These placements will enable you to understand the Systems Engineering 'V' model across the whole product lifecycle - including:

• Researching future technologies and novel domains;
• Developing requirements and functional architectures;
• Creating concept solutions through Agile methodologies;
• Analysing performance and conducting trade space studies;
• Conducting verification and validation through trials and lab tests.

Across the Systems Engineering domain, we offer exposure to a wide variety of different technologies, engineering methodologies, and customer needs associated with specific products or capabilities.

This role is suited to those that enjoy the creativity and practicality of working with problems to arrive at logical solutions.

What we\'re looking for from you

Currently studying towards a degree in an Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Maths, Technology, Computing or General Science 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.