Weapon Systems Algorithms Engineer - Summer Placement 2027

MBDA UK; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 113,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 week placement

Pension up to 14%

Overtime opportunities

5 days annual leave

Site facilities

Job summary

MBDA UK is offering a 10-week summer placement for 2027 in weapon systems algorithms and performance. You’ll work on real projects, contribute to algorithm development, and gain exposure to system-level applications within a leading defence company.

Ideal candidates are undergraduates in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or Computer Science, with strong math interest and some MATLAB/Python experience. The role is hybrid with on-site requirements and indicative salary pro-rata.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate working towards a degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or Computer Science.
• Experience programming for scientific/engineering apps (e.g. MATLAB, Python) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the Weapon Systems Algorithms & Performance team with algorithm-related tasks.
• Contribute to development and optimisation of algorithms for weapon systems.
• Assist in applying mathematical techniques to engineering problems.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Education

Undergraduate in Engineering/Physics/Math/CS

Job description

Weapon Systems Algorithms Engineer - Summer Placement 2027

An Algorithm Engineer’s role is to build the code that forms the digital nervous system of a product. In the Weapons System Algorithms & Performance team (WSAP), your solutions and ideas will impact emerging and future technologies. It's our job to develop and optimise the algorithms inside weapon systems across the whole of MBDA.

Salary: £24,460 (pro-rata)

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 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:

• 10 week placement: Starting June 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
• Pension: Maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: Opportunity for paid overtime
• Annual Leave: 5 days
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more.

The opportunity:

As an Engineer in the Weapon Systems Design division, you will be part of a rapidly expanding area of the MBDA 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 Weapon System Algorithms and Performance (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:

Current undergraduate working towards a degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or Computer Science. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants with a strong interest in mathematics and applying mathematical techniques to engineering problems. Experience in programming for scientific/engineering applications (e.g. MATLAB, Python) would be an advantage.

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.