Guidance, Control and Navigation Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027 in Bristol

• Guidance - figuring out a suitable trajectory, providing an effective route to target interception and improving the probability of defeating a target
• Control - designing and tuning autopilot algorithms, for various control surfaces, to maintain stable flight dynamics and achieve the guidance demands
• Navigation - estimating the current missile state (position, velocity and altitude/orientation) using measurements from a range of on-board sensors
• Command and Control - designing weapon-system level algorithms to track and evaluate incoming threats, plan engagements, and provide additional mission context to the operator

This is a great environment and opportunity to learn, broadening your technical knowledge of the design and function of a complex weapon system through visibility of a wide range of work; from researching and developing futuristic technologies through to being on the design team for current high-profile projects.

Join a supportive and experienced team who will encourage you to develop your skills in coding and modelling, mathematics, flight dynamics and control theory - as well as utilising tools such as MATLAB/SIMULINK daily.

• You'll experience a variety of activities in this role, which could include:
• Integrated navigation, such as 'Terrain Reference Navigation', 'GPS integration', and 'Image Based Navigation'
• Autopilot and control system design and analysis, including dual-mode control, thrust vector control, etc.
• Algorithms for mid-course guidance, terminal guidance, target tracking and selectivity
• Data fusion to combine data from multiple sensors. For example, radars, seekers, IMUs, etc.
• Implementing AI techniques including neural networks and deep learning to improve traditional GCN algorithms and solve new challenges
• Designing autonomous decision-making systems for use in complex collective missions.

Work collaboratively across engineering teams to develop your understanding of propulsion, aerodynamics, seekers, sensors and actuators, and how these technologies integrate within a complex missile system.

Experience working within one of the many international teams in MBDA, with the GCN function in Paris and Rome - This doesn't necessarily equate to travel but you may be offered the option where the opportunity arises.

• Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays.

After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones.

• You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.
• We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective.

Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work.

Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.

• Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a 'Defined Contribution' plan in the Mercer Master Trust.

The standard contributions are 4% of an employee's base salary and 6% employer contributions.

You can increase both employee and employer contributions by up to 2%.

• Financial Awareness - Employees have access to free financial webinars hosted throughout the year, along with access to a financial education website which provides plenty of useful hints, tips and guidance on managing financial wellness.
• Share Incentive Plan - Acquire shares in our UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, the scheme is tax efficient on shares purchased.
• Mortgage Advice - As part of our financial wellbeing initiative employees can access free of charge mortgage advice and webinars.
• Season Ticket Loan - Employees can borrow the value of public transport season ticket for bus or train journeys to and from work and spread the cost over 12 months.
• Critical Illness - To help reduce the financial impact after being diagnosed with a critical illness, employees receive a tax-free lump sum payment that can be used for any purpose including covering medical expenses, adjustments to lifestyle and more.
• Employee Assistance Programme - The Employee Assistance Programme is free, independent, confidential and is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year.

Employees have access to short-term counselling (which includes up to 8 structured face to face, telephone or virtual sessions).

• Voluntary Private Medical Insurance - Private Medical Insurance offers three healthcare plans to suit your individual requirements for you and your family.
• Funded Private Medical Insurance - Eligible employees (Grade C & Above) are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.
• Dental Insurance - The Dental Insurance benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday dental expenses such as, minor treatments, routine examinations, restorative treatment and more.

There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits.

• 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.

There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits.

• Healthcare and Leisure - The Healthcare and Leisure benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as medical fees, dentist fees, opticians and also provides access to special deals and concessions on sporting and recreational facilities.
• Healthworks Gym Membership - The Healthworks on-site gym at our Stevenage site offers a range of facilities and equipment, alongside a variety of classes available during the week.
• Annual Gym Membership - Take advantage of discounted membership at over 3,600 of the UK's leading gym chains, leisure centres, hotel health clubs, independent gyms, boot camps and yoga studios.
• The Club -The Club provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great social activities - from theatre trips, days out, to sporting activities.

You'll be able to choose between a variety of online learning platforms such as Percipio, You Learn, Career Builder and Video Gateway.

Each one is tailored to a specific type of learning.

Speak to your line manager to find out more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time.

You'll have access to our Learning Gateway, which hosts the formal course catalogue and is where you can select the right training for your role and future development.

The catalogue displays which courses are being delivered virtually or are classroom based.

If you want to lead a team, you might be interested in our management training, designed for people of all experience levels.

Degree qualified in Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering or Computing discipline to a minimum of 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.

The algorithms we design in Guidance, Control and Navigation (GCN) lie at the heart of all of the highly complex MBDA missile and weapon systems.

We're involved in every phase of the product's life cycle, from concept through to service.

• 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.

• We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave.
• Our enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave.

Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.

We also offer 2 weeks enhanced pay for paternity leave, and neonatal care leave for up to 12 weeks where a period of extended hospital care is required after birth.

Employees also have access to support whilst undergoing fertility testing and treatments.

• Lifestyle - Discounts & Vouchers Lifestyle - Discounts & Vouchers Discounts - The Discounts platform includes a great range of features such as: discounts, instant vouchers, reloadable cards, easy saver cards, cashback, mobile app and Wellbeing Centre.

Costco - Permanent employees of MBDA qualify for Costco's individual membership.

Technology Vouchers - Purchase the latest gadgets and white goods up to the value of £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months.

Charity Donations - Donate up to five charities each month, with full tax relief on all donations.

My Car Scheme - The MBDA My Car Scheme offers employees the opportunity to access up to two new vehicles via a salary sacrifice arrangement including an all-inclusive package.

Holiday Purchase - Purchase up to 5 days' extra holiday whilst making tax and National Insurance savings, spreading the cost over 12 months.

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