Mechanical Engineer – Undergraduate Placement 2025
Salary: £20,000 (pro rata)
Location: Stevenage
Working pattern:
The team operates a flexible working model allowing you to work at home where it is possible, however the nature of the job we will often require you to be onsite to access specific facilities and resources.
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:
You'll join either our Mechanical Engineering or Customer Support and Services functions – either route offers second to none opportunities to get involved in truly unique projects and products. Both offer rotational placements to see everything that the function has to offer – spanning the engineering design and missile lifecycle.
The Mechanical Engineering department develops physical solutions from concept through development and certification to production of missiles and weapon systems.
Our team is at the forefront of defence, working alongside highly qualified engineers and technical specialists, to deliver key multinational defence projects. The nature of complex weapons and the environments they operate in present an extensive scope of unique and interesting mechanical engineering challenges. You could be working across Internal Research or Design and Analysis, through to Integration, Tooling and Testing.
Your placement could be a mix of:
Mechanical Design – Be involved in all stages of design from concept development through to manufacture. A typical role relies on CAD tools and gives opportunity to be involved in laboratory test programs.
Mechanical Future Concepts - Positioned at the cutting-edge of missile technology, gain experience in the early stages of the product lifecycle from concept generation to research & development (R&D) studies.
Mechanical Analysis - Develop specialist technical solutions to aid the design process. With Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools and laboratory testing, conduct detailed stress and thermal analysis on structures and mechanical systems.
Actuation Systems - Working in a multidisciplinary team on the electro-mechanical design of fin, wing and seeker actuation system. The role is broadly similar to the Mechanical Design placement with the added possibility of working in a cross-discipline, international team.
Materials and Processes Group - Advise design teams in the principles of materials science, and evaluate their ideas against material compatibility; this offers the chance to get involved in top-tier research of novel materials as well as practical lab based assessments.
The Customer Support and Services (CSS) department is the Customer-facing organisation within MBDA, working directly with the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force (RAF). We make sure our products are ready for action when they are required!
We have overall responsibility for the definition, development and delivery of support and service packages for all MBDA products, with the aim of continually being able to meet our customers' requirements.
Within this department you'll see work across the entire Product Life Cycle (CADMID), from the initial Concept Phase all the way through to Disposal - part of your role could be influencing the designs of our products to ensure that they are supportable throughout their service life; designing the System is only the first step, ensuring it can be maintained and supported for 20+ years is where the real work begins!
Our Customers are incredibly important to us and you will be on hand to ensure that their requirements are met and the reputation of MBDA continues to prosper.
The diverse nature of CSS means that over the course of the Graduate Programme you will be given the opportunity to work in a wide range of different roles, gaining a broad understanding of MBDA, our Products and our Customers.
Your placement could be a mix of:
Supportability Engineering - Working in a development team on a new Product or an Export Contract delivering to a new Customer.
Support Engineering - Working on a System currently In-Service with a Customer.
Support Services - Working with our Field Support & Training, Technical Publications, Systems & Tools and Supply teams.
What we're looking for from you:
Studying towards an Engineering Degree (incl. General, Mechanical, Production/Manufacturing, Aeronautical/Aerospace), Materials Science or Technology Degree discipline.
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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