Warheads Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2025
Salary: £20,000 (pro rata)
Location: Bolton
Working pattern:
Security is a key consideration for the role and as such, the majority of your work will be conducted on site; a positive result of which is that our office remains a social and collaborative working environment. Nevertheless, there can be opportunities for home working depending on the nature of the task.
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 Monday 4th November
The opportunity:
The Complex Warheads Centre of Excellence is a coordinated team situated across sites in Stevenage and Bolton. Their role is to:
- Act as the company's design authority for Warheads.
- Support Warhead development throughout the product lifecycle; starting with concept design, design definitions, assessment, technical specification, test equipment and maturity of concepts, through into manufacture.
- Predict the lethal performance of various types of missile systems through modelling of missile terminal engagement, target detection, Warhead detonation and lethal performance prediction.
- Provide expertise in the skill areas of Warheads, energetic materials, target detection and weapon lethality.
- Manage requirements and suppliers for MBDA's Warhead programmes.
This undergraduate role will involve working within the Complex Warheads Centre of Excellence, based in Bolton.
Working closely with highly skilled engineers across the whole of the Warhead product lifecycle, you will learn how to produce detailed design definitions, carry out concept assessment using modelling simulations and analyse and assess performance data collected during trials. Tools ranging from CAD design software to complex finite element style hydrocodes see frequent use during this process.
Additionally, you will gain experience managing Warhead sub-system development through stakeholder and supplier engagement and requirements management to deliver a product that integrates directly into a current or future missile system.
This is an outstanding opportunity to join a niche group of engineers with specialised expertise. The skills we utilise are not typical in academia and so joining the team presents an opportunity for you to develop knowledge in numerous aspects of missile Lethality and Warhead development that you would not acquire anywhere else!
Joining us will build your knowledge and enable you to apply an understanding of Warhead technologies and their lethal effects to various types of missile systems in development and in service.
You may be encouraged to work independently, with limited supervision, or part of a small to medium team, as required.
Some projects may include collaboration with other MBDA departments across the UK and Europe. This role may require you to travel.
What we're looking for from you:
- Currently studying for a degree in an Engineering, Mathematical or Applied Science subject area such as Aeronautical, Aerospace, Mechanical or Systems Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics.
Our company:
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.
What we can offer you:
- 10 month undergraduate placement starting September 2025
- Fantastic site facilities, including subsidised meals and free car parking
- A placement that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world engineering projects and technologies
- Flexible working
We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential. MBDA is proud of our employee-led networks including Gender Equality, Pride, Neurodiversity, Ethnic Diversity, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers and Armed Forces.
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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