At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop software for next-gen weapons and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation supporting the Armed Forces.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £31,900, plus bonuses, flexible leave, and excellent career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for travel and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence technology while gaining valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or relevant STEM discipline.
The predicted salary is between 31900 - 31900 £ per year.
The Software team at MBDA deliver software for the next generation of weapons in an ever evolving environment to support those on the battlefield! This is a great opportunity to learn and understand fundamentals in the Software life cycle, and Software delivery as well as gain broader skills/exposure such as systems engineering and agile project management. You'll see how software teams interact and collaborate with other stakeholders within MBDA.
Salary: £31,900 starting salary plus £3000 joining bonus.
Dynamic Working: 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.
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: Deliver software for the next generation of weapons, in an ever evolving environment, to support those on the battlefield! Our teams provide a range of products from high integrity software running on our weapon systems, to mission planning solutions integrated into a complex battlespace arena. We use a variety of programming languages, software tools and software lifecycle methodologies to achieve this. You will develop the skills necessary to become a well-rounded software engineer. This goal will be achieved through a combination of technical training, four challenging work placements and development activities such as:
- Working closely with other teams in a variety of development stages within our weapons systems including both embedded and front end software development on a range of platforms, such as Windows and Linux, utilising C, C++, C# and Java.
- Ensuring the functional and technical robustness of project deliverables
- Owning responsibility for the creation and maintenance of technical documentation.
- Working with other departments within the company, learning a general overview of the business.
- Exposure to all aspects of a software development lifecycle, a chance to collaborate with others in the annual multi-national Software Engineering Challenge, and opportunities to travel.
What we're looking for from you: Degree qualified in Computing/Computer Science, Engineering (incl. Aeronautical/Aerospace, Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical or Software), Mathematics, Physics or relevant STEM discipline to a minimum 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.
Software Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027 employer: MBDA Miissle System
MBDA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters employee growth and development. With competitive benefits such as a company bonus, generous pension contributions, and flexible working arrangements, employees are empowered to balance their professional and personal lives while contributing to vital defence projects. The inclusive work culture, supported by various employee-led networks, ensures that every individual feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive in their career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at MBDA Miissle System or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to MBDA Miissle System.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like MBDA Miissle System.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like MBDA Miissle System that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at MBDA Miissle System.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at MBDA Miissle System and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA Miissle System
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If MBDA Miissle System uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
