Weapon System Simulation & Experimentation Engineer – Undergraduate Placement 2025
Salary: £20,000 (pro rata)
Location: Stevenage
Working pattern: Where possible, we will seek to accommodate a blended approach to on-site and remote working, but this will depend on project requirements and the need for access to specific site facilities. Some projects may require full time attendance on site whereas others may need 2-3 days per week.
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 Weapon System Simulation & Experimentation (WSSE) department designs and develops leading-edge software applications used to support battlefield simulations for National and International Customers in the Land, Air and Sea domains.
The simulations we develop evolve in-line with the lifecycle of the programmes: from concept demonstrations with customers and stakeholders, to integration trials and training with in-service operators.
Our simulations are at the forefront of problem solving across a broad spectrum of MBDA's programmes, focusing on improving MBDA's Agility and Time to Market.
WSSE is a dynamic department based across our Stevenage and Bristol sites with a diverse team of engineers working together to deliver across a wide range of projects.
Become a key member of our team developing, integrating and deploying our simulation components across the business, including into our cutting edge Digital Battlespace Facility, where we support customers through visualisation and experimentation. Experience working alongside our customers and stakeholders to iteratively improve our products to final delivery.
You will have the opportunity to broaden and strengthen your skills from experts in synthetic environments. With development and training, we'll help you build your confidence, expertise and knowledge of software and simulations and enable you to contribute fully to the team and the business.
You will be involved in:
- Supporting key projects, alongside highly experienced engineers, throughout the MBDA development lifecycle
- Assisting and observing in activities across concepting, experimentation and demonstration using synthetic environments
- Working with other areas of the business such as Operational Analysis, Integration & Systems Validation, Human Factors, Future Systems, Customer Support Services and Sales & Business Development
- Working directly with customer representatives and military personnel in order to both extend and demonstrate our current and future capabilities
Your role will give you:
- Experience of software development methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall
- Training for new programming languages and software tools
- Experience of developing software components working in Linux and Windows environments
- Experience integrating software applications and deploying onto hardware environments
- Experience exchanging software components with other software and modelling teams
- Opportunity to develop and test code within professional software development teams
- Experience of identifying, building, developing models and software for use on Operational Analysis and in Operator-In-The-Loop simulators
- Experience of developing and interpreting the behaviour and results from physics-based models in analytical studies, experiments and demonstrations
- Opportunity to explore and develop the use of AI/ML learning toolsets
- Opportunity to gain an understanding of the company process for delivering our products, including the test and certification process
What we're looking for from you:
Currently studying for a degree in a Physics, Mathematical studies, Engineering or Computing discipline
Experience of some of the following would be advantageous;
- Software Engineering
- System Engineering
- Object-orientated Programming in C-like Languages (C++, C#, Java)
- Development Environments (Visual Studio, Eclipse)
- Linux
- Networking & Networking Protocols
- Algorithms (Flight dynamics, rotational geometry)
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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