Warhead Engineer Graduate Programme 2027

Higherin; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; 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 leave + buy extra

Flexi Leave 15 days

Career progression

Site facilities

Job summary

MBDA is seeking a highly qualified engineer at Bolton to join the Complex Warheads Centre of Excellence. The role focuses on Warhead design, modelling, and lifecycle support, requiring a 2:2 Engineering or Physical Science degree and BPSS eligibility.

The position offers a 4-day on-site work pattern and a joining bonus up to £3,000. You will contribute to weapon lethality modelling, collaborate with skilled engineers, and may travel to other MBDA sites in the UK/Europe as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or related Physical Science with a 2:2 minimum.
• Knowledge of modelling, design and assessment in defence systems.
• Eligibility for BPSS security checks.

Responsibilities

• Support Warhead development through the full product lifecycle.
• Model missile terminal engagement to predict performance.
• Provide expertise in warheads, energetic materials and lethality.
• Work with engineers to produce design definitions and analyze data.
• Join a niche team with specialist knowledge and opportunities for growth.
• Travel may be required across the UK/Europe.

Skills

Engineering degree 2:2

Education

Engineering/Physics degree 2:2

Job description

The Complex Warheads Centre of Excellence is a coordinated team situated across sites in Bolton and are the company's design authority for Warheads.

Job Details

• Reference: R37543
• Contract type: Full time
• Discipline: Engineering and Design | Modelling
• Location: Bolton
• Salary: £31,900 plus a £3000 joining bonus
• Dynamic Working: 4 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.

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

• The team support Warhead development throughout the product lifecycle; starting with concept design, design definitions, assessment, technical specification, test equipment and maturity of concepts, through into manufacture.
• Predict the lethal performance of various types of missile systems through modelling of missile terminal engagement, target detection, Warhead detonation and lethal performance prediction.
• Provide expertise in the skill areas of Warheads, energetic materials, target detection and weapon lethality.
• Your time within the Warheads team will involve working closely with highly skilled engineers across the whole of the Warhead product lifecycle. You will learn how to produce detailed design definitions, carry out concept assessment using modelling simulations and analyse and assess performance data collected during trials.
• This is an outstanding opportunity to join a niche group of engineers with specialised expertise. The skills we utilise are not typical in academia and so joining the team presents an opportunity for you to develop knowledge in numerous aspects of Warhead development that you would not acquire anywhere else.
• Joining us will build your knowledge and enable you to apply an understanding of Warhead technologies for various types of missile systems in development and in service.
• You may be encouraged to work independently, with limited supervision, or part of a small to medium team, as required.
• Some projects may include collaboration with other MBDA departments across the UK and Europe. This role may require you to travel.

What we're looking for from you

• Degree qualified in an Engineering, Mathematical or Applied Science subject area such as Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical or Systems Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematic to a minimum of 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.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.