Weapon Systems Algorithms Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

MBDA; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual salary review

Company bonus £2,500

Pension up to 14%

Overtime paid

25 days holiday + extra

Flexi Leave

Healthcare plan

Fantastic site facilities

Job summary

MBDA Bristol is recruiting for a Weapon Systems Algorithms Engineer – Graduate Programme 2027. You will join the WSAP team to design and optimise algorithms for weapon systems and support performance evaluation across key programmes.

The role combines cutting-edge algorithm development with exposure to system architecture and future concepts, starting September 2027. Requires BPSS clearance and a hybrid on-site work pattern.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or Computer Science (2:2 minimum).
• Strong mathematical and algorithmic problem-solving.
• Interest in weapon systems and performance evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise algorithms for weapon systems.
• Support system-level design across projects like FCAS, STRATUS and DragonFire.
• Evaluate performance using mathematical modelling and ML techniques.
• Collaborate with MBDA project teams to deliver components on time and cost.

Skills

Algorithms engineering

Mathematical modelling

Machine learning

Education

2:2 Degree in Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Computer Science

Job description

Bristol

Weapon Systems Algorithms Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027

An Algorithm Engineer's role is to build the code that forms the digital nervous system of a product. It's our job to develop and optimise the algorithms inside weapon systems across the whole of MBDA.

In the Weapons System Algorithms & Performance (WSAP) team, your solutions and ideas will impact emerging and future technologies.

Salary: £31,900 plus a £3000 joining bonus
Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 3-4 days per week on-site due to workload classification
Security Clearance: British Citizen
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 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

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:

As an Engineer in the Weapon Systems Design division, you will be part of a rapidly expanding area of our business - providing specialist technical support at system level to a range of high-profile projects, including Future Combat Air System (FCAS), STRATUS and DragonFire.

The WSAP department specialises in a broad range of areas: developing cutting-edge algorithms, mathematically evaluating the performance of products, and working with the future business teams to bring technical excellence to our future concepts. We leverage the use of leading technologies and tools such as deep reinforcement learning and test-driven algorithm development to provide optimised weapon system solutions across the whole of the MBDA product line.

Over your time in the department, you'll have visibility on not only algorithm development but weapon system architecture, performance modelling, and early stage concepting. Starting as an Algorithms Engineer in WSAP, you will work directly with MBDA project teams to ensure the delivery of critical algorithm components on time, on cost, and on quality to key programmes.

Our algorithms team is currently working on:

• Routing algorithms for long-range strike weapons
• Operator decision aids for strike mission planning
• Threat evaluation & weapon assignment algorithms for air defence
• Multi-weapon co-operation
• Application of machine learning techniques to air-to-air combat

Regardless of which project you work on, you'll be part of a team comprising some of the most talented engineers, scientists and technicians in their fields, helping to deliver innovative battle-winning capabilities to MBDA's customers across the globe.

What we're looking for from you:

Degree qualified in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science to a minimum of 2:2

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