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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to design and support cutting-edge weapon systems for the UK Armed Forces.
- Company: MBDA, a leading defence organisation committed to innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and a company bonus.
- Why this job: Apply your studies to real-world projects and make a difference in national security.
- Qualifications: Studying Physics, Engineering, or related fields; creativity and problem-solving skills are key.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 23495 - 23495 £ per year.
Overview
Systems Engineer – Undergraduate Placement 2026
Salary: £23,495
Dynamic (Hybrid Working): Where possible, we will seek to accommodate a blended approach to on-site and remote working. This may vary depending on the undergraduate role.
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
Working within one of our Systems Design functions in Stevenage, you will be involved in concepting, designing, delivering and supporting the latest Complex Weapons capabilities for the UK and partner nation Armed Forces in response to advanced threats in all domains (Air, Land, Sea).
You\’ll complete a placement based on a project that could be at any stage in a range of areas, from future capabilities to in-service products. Through the placement, we\’ll help you understand the make-up of a missile or a weapon system; from the warhead to the seeker in the missile to the wider weapon system components.
These placements will enable you to understand the Systems Engineering \’V\’ model across the whole product lifecycle – including:
- Researching future technologies and novel domains;
- Developing requirements and functional architectures ;
- Creating concept solutions
- Analysing performance and supporting trade-off studies;
- Managing interfaces and integration of systems and sub-systems
- Proving and certification activities at Weapon and Missile system level
- Learning about technologies and customer needs associated with specific products or capabilities.
Across the Systems Engineering domain, we offer exposure to a wide variety of different technologies, engineering methodologies, and customer needs associated with specific products or capabilities. This also offers a great opportunity to engage with internal and external customers.
This role is suited to those that enjoy the creativity and practicality of working with problems to arrive at logical solutions.
Our Systems Design function will support you to become a fully integrated member of the team with the opportunity to assume an increasing level of responsibility. We offer varied roles with scope to choose placements based on interests and skills.
Our people are adaptable and the role is varied and fast paced – Innovation is a company value that we practice the most.
Systems Engineers work with people across all engineering fields and business teams, meeting suppliers and customers and engaging with international MBDA colleagues. There is also Opportunity to travel both within the UK and potentially internationally.
What we\\\’re looking for from you
Currently studying for a degree in Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Technology or Computing discipline.
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.
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Systems Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026 employer: MBDA UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
MBDA UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Systems Engineer placement. Personal connections can give you insights that no job description can.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Make sure you can discuss your coursework and how it relates to the role. We want to see your passion for engineering and how you can apply your studies to real-world problems.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios or case studies. Think aloud as you work through the problem; we love seeing your thought process in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at MBDA. Get your application in before the deadline!
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Systems Engineer role. Highlight relevant projects or coursework that showcase your problem-solving abilities and technical knowledge.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this placement and how your studies in Physics, Engineering, or related fields make you a great fit for our team.
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We love collaboration at StudySmarter! Mention any group projects or teamwork experiences in your application to demonstrate your ability to work well with others and contribute to a dynamic environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can get back to you as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA UK Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of systems engineering principles, especially the Systems Engineering 'V' model. Familiarise yourself with concepts related to missile systems and complex weapons capabilities, as this will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss examples where you've tackled complex problems creatively. Think about projects or coursework where you had to analyse performance or manage interfaces. This will demonstrate your ability to think logically and practically, which is key for a Systems Engineer.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a conversation. Ask insightful questions about the projects you'll be working on or the technologies involved. This shows that you're not only interested in the role but also eager to contribute to the team.
✨Be Yourself
MBDA values diversity and individuality, so let your personality shine through. Share your unique experiences and perspectives, and don’t hesitate to talk about your interests outside of academics. This helps the interviewers see how you might fit into their dynamic team.
