Warheads Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2027

MBDA UK; Bolton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

1-year placement opportunity

Company bonus based on performance

Pension up to 14% total contribution

Paid overtime

25 days annual leave + option to buy

Flexi Leave up to 15 days

Free car parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Job summary

MBDA UK offers an Undergraduate Placement in Warheads Engineering for 2027 in Bolton. The role enables you to apply university learning to real-world warhead projects across the lifecycle, with potential to secure a graduate role after your placement.

The 1-year placement starts September 2027 with a competitive salary (£24,460) and prospects for company bonus, pension contributions, paid overtime, and ample leave. Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Engineering, Mathematics or Applied Science.
• Fields of study: Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics.
• Ability to apply university learning to real-world projects in defence technologies.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Warheads team across the product lifecycle stages.
• Learn to produce detailed design definitions and conduct concept assessments using modelling simulations.
• Support analysis of performance data collected during trials.
• Assist with the design and planning of tests and trials.

Education

Engineering/Mathematics/Applied Science degree in progress

Job description

Warheads Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2027

The Complex Warheads Centre of Excellence is a coordinated team and the company’s design authority for Warheads. We support Warhead development throughout the product lifecycle; starting with concept design, design definitions, assessment, technical specification, test equipment and maturity of concepts, into manufacture.

Salary: £24,460 Dynamic working: 3-4 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.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 4th January 2027 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you:

• 1 year placement: Starting September 2027, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies
• Perform well on your placement and you could secure a graduate role before your final year
• 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…
• 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 develops, designs and tests Warheads for MBDA missiles. We predict the lethal performance of various types of missile systems through modelling of missile terminal engagement, target detection, Warhead detonation and lethal performance prediction. We provide expertise in the skill areas of Warheads, energetic materials, target detection and weapon lethality.

Through this placement you'll:

• Work closely with the team in a variety of stages within the product lifecycle
• Learn how to produce detailed design definitions, carry out concept assessment using modelling simulations
• Support the team to analyse and assess performance data collected during trials
• Support the design and planning for 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 and their lethal effects to 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 and therefore this role may require you to travel.

What we're looking for from you:

Working towards a degree in an Engineering, Mathematical or Applied Science subject area such as Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical or Systems Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics 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. What we do matters. Because defence matters. As a leading company in the defence industry we support our nations by delivering essential military capabilities, both for today and the future. We are proud to be an award-winning employer and are proud of the growing diversity of our workforce. Our people are the ones who drive our constant innovation and deliver against challenging targets. Whatever your background, we welcome your application to MBDA UK and look forward to speaking with you soon.