Weapon System Simulation and Experimentation Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

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

Job summary

A leading defense organization is seeking a Weapon System Simulation and Experimentation Engineer for an undergraduate placement in Bristol, starting September 2026. This role involves developing software applications and simulations for defense systems while working in Agile teams. Applicants should be pursuing a degree in Engineering, Physics, or Computing. The position offers hybrid working options and a competitive salary of £23,495 per year.

Benefits

Company bonus based on performance

Pension contributions up to 14%

Paid overtime opportunities

25 days annual leave plus options

Flexi Leave up to 15 days

Subsidised meals and free parking

Qualifications

• Working towards a relevant degree.
• Passion for software development and simulations.
• Experience with programming languages.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support simulations for defense applications.
• Work in Agile teams to deliver software solutions.
• Integrate and deploy software components.

Skills

C++

C#

Java

Software development

Agile methodologies

Education

Degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Studies or Computing

Tools

Visual Studio

Eclipse

Job description

Overview

Bristol

Weapon System Simulation and Experimentation Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

Weapon System Simulation and Experimentation (WSSE) design leading-edge software applications and simulations in order to support synthetic battlefield experiments, weapon system integration, product concept and design, and so much more. We create demonstrators and system representations for products from across the MBDA portfolio, covering Land, Sea and Air domains.

Salary: £23,495

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 3-5 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.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 5TH 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

WSSE's simulations are at the forefront of problem solving across a broad spectrum of MBDA's programs, focusing on improving MBDA's Agility and Time to Market. The simulations we develop evolve in-line with the lifecycle of the systems: from concept demonstrations with customers and stakeholders, to integration, trials, experimentation, and training with in-service operators. We work alongside other business areas such as Integration & Systems Validation, Human Factors, Future Systems, Customer Support Services and Sales & Business Development.

WSSE is a dynamic department based across our Stevenage and Bristol sites with a diverse team of engineers working together to deliver across a wide range of projects and programs. You will have the opportunity to broaden and strengthen your skills from experts in synthetic environments and be a part of our agile teams developing, integrating and deploying software and simulation components. The role will give experience of software development methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall.

There is training in new programming languages and software tools, and experience integrating and deploying software applications onto hardware environments. As well as the opportunity to develop and test code within professional software development teams, and gain an understanding of the company process for delivering products to our customers, including test and certification.

We work across a number of disciplines, primarily software development using programming languages such as C++, C# and Java within environments such as Visual Studio and Eclipse, but we also span system engineering, networking, hardware integration, and use of algorithms such as flight dynamics and rotational geometry.

What we're looking for from you

Working towards a degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Studies or a Computing discipline.

Our company

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.

#LI-CB1