Your offer
Congratulations on your offer!

You've made a great decision!

Your decision to become a part of MBDA marks the beginning of an exciting journey with opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration.

We are confident that your unique skills and experience, combined with those of your new colleagues, will mean we can continue to effectively support our Armed Forces and help to deliver the future of defence.

Welcome to MBDA!

Receiving a job offer is an exciting time, we want to help you understand what happens next in order to make it as simple as possible.

This page contains details of what needs to happen before you can start, how the security clearance process works and most importantly, what is required of you.

Before you read on, watch our video of our employees explaining what they love about working at MBDA.

What happens next?

It can feel like information overload when you've accepted a job offer and have various tasks to complete; we've put our process into some neat steps for you to follow - use it to find out what you need to do and when you need to do it.

Step 1: Your conditional offer

The Resourcing Admin team will process your conditional offer paperwork and terms and conditions. These will be available to access via your MBDA portal within one week. Once received, you should download and save (this is the only point you will be able to save it), then review and confirm acceptance of your conditional offer of employment within one week.

Step 2: Your PIT photo

You'll receive a task to upload a photo of yourself for your Personal Identity Tag (PIT) via your candidate home account. It's important you complete this as quickly as possible as failure to do so could delay the rest of your preboarding process. Once you join us, the photo will be printed onto your PIT pass which will be used as a form of identity around the site and allow you access to the areas you will be working in.

You must make sure you follow the guidance 'PIT photo guidance', provided in the Reference Library below.

Step 3: Your Pre-Employment Checks

After accepting your offer, you will be supplied with a dedicated Vetting Officer which is your point of contact for any questions relating to security clearance. We also recommend that you speak to your university and ask them to issue you with a student status letter as this will speed up the security clearance process. You should then upload a copy of this to evidence your education during your First Advantage application, there is no need to email it to us.

PLEASE NOTE: as part of this stage you may also require photo ID which could include your passport, so ensure you have this to hand (photocopies or images of the original cannot be accepted).

We will then create an account for you to complete your initial background checks with First Advantage (a reference and background checks service or DBS). First Advantage will send you an email with the necessary links to complete an initial application form.

Please refer to the 'Must Read' documents below to help you with your application.

Step 4: Your Security Clearance

Once the First Advantage checks are complete, if your role requires full security clearance, you will receive an email from UK Security Vetting (sometimes referred to as NSV or UKSV). Please refer to our FAQ section for further information on when you can expect to receive your email.

You will need to complete both applications within three days.

Please look out for any emails with queries and respond to First Advantage , UKSV or our internal MBDA vetting team as soon as possible to avoid delays.

If you already hold the required level of security clearance for the role, our Security Vetting Team will request details of the clearance you hold. If satisfactory, they will arrange for it to be transferred to MBDA. Your current employer will not be aware that this check is taking place without your prior consent.

If you are a returner to MBDA, you will still need to complete a BPSS application again. However will take the steps to reactivate your Clearance with NSV.

Once you have completed your First Advantage and UKSV applications, things will go a little bit quiet whilst UKSV process the new clearance or your transfer.

Clearances can take several months so please be patient.

Due to GDPR, we will not get any updates on your security applications. For a new clearance, you can see when your clearance is “complete” from a UKSV perspective on your portal. Further checks within MBDA may still be ongoing.

Step 5: Invitation to Timeline and Whatsapp groups

We know starting at a new place of work can be daunting, which is why we introduced our pre-boarding platform called Timeline. Throughout your pre-boarding journey with us, your Timeline will provide you with short introductions to key aspects of life at MBDA; including our handy hints to help you when start, site information, videos from current early careers members and so much more!

Many of our new starters have told us how helpful the platform has been for them, helping to welcome them to the business and to make the information received during inductions, easier to digest.

We'll also share with you details of the whatsapp groups you can join; you'll be able to connect with fellow early careers members joining at the same time as you so you can look for house shares together - or just get a head start on making friends and networking.

Step 6: Medical

You will receive a medical form to complete 3 months prior to joining MBDA. You must complete the form and send to the email address provided on the form.

Step 7: Your Firm Offer

Once your security clearance is complete, and all other conditions of the conditional offer have been met, you will receive an email to confirm your firm offer is available within the MBDA portal. Please sign this within one week.

Once you have signed your firm offer, you will receive an email asking you to add your bank details, National Insurance number and emergency contact details to the portal. Please do this within three days to ensure that you are paid in your first month at MBDA.

If you are joining us as a Graduate, you will need to complete a second HEDD consent form. This is to verify your degree classification.

Step 8: Your First Day

On your first day you'll need to bring photographic ID with you, don't worry - we'll remind you before the day!

Reference Library

Our library of documents will help you with everything you need to complete as part of your pre-boarding process - don't worry, we'll tell when you need to read each of the documents at the point you need them.

Security Clearance Process Document

PIT Photo Guidance

Sterling User Guide

Reset Guide

We're here to support you

These are the teams that will be supporting you during your pre-boarding process;

Recruiters - these are the people you will have met at the assessment centre and spoke to about your offer. This team will provide you with regular updates.

Resourcing admin team - this team processes your contract, Terms and Conditions, medical clearance, proof od qualifications, Firm offer, references, and will be there to support if you have any questions about these topics.

MBDA security vetting team (including your vetting officer) - this team will be in touch when processing your security clearance to ask for any additional information they may need.

First Advantage and UKSV - these external companies process your clearance and references.

Contact details for all these teams can be found in our FAQs at the bottom of the page.

MBDA main website

FAQs

Who can I contact to get support?

Depending on query you have, the following teams can help you:

Any offer documents questions - resourcing@mbda-systems.com

Any general queries whilst you are pre-boarding - ftn.ecp-recruitment@mbda.co.uk

For queries on your security clearance contact your MBDA Vetting Officer or SecurityVetting.Stevenage@mbda.co.uk

For anything relating to your workday account contact our HR Systems Team on hrsystems@mbda.co.uk

To contact UKSV directly via email: UKSV-contactus@mod.gov.uk . When emailing UKSV you will need to include your full name and date of birth to them. You can also call them on 01904 662644.

For help with First Advantage you can contact ftn.NewClearanceRequest@mbda.co.uk

When can I expect to receive my email about completing my security clearance application?

This will depend on your circumstances and the programme you are joining. Typically:

Summer placements should expect their email in February.

Undergraduates, Graduates and Apprentices from March onwards.

If you are returning to us having completed a placement with us previously, you will receive this from April.

What happens if my clearance isn't through in time for my start date?

As we get closer to your start date our recruiters will be in regular contact with you. If clearance is not complete by your start date, we will have to delay your start date until this is complete.

Will I get any support for relocating?

We don't offer financial support to anyone relocating for our Early Careers Programme; however we will put you in contact with others joining the programme who are also looking for accommodation via Timeline and Whatsapp groups.

How do I show the proof of my qualifications?

Proof of Qualifications

If you're joining as an Apprentice, you'll get an email from workday inviting you to complete a task. It will state ‘Please attach the relevant document(s) as specified in our recent email’
Please upload your GCSE exam certificates and A Levels / BTEC’s (whichever is relevant). Please make sure you upload all your certificates in one go.

If you're joining as a Graduate you'll get an email from workday inviting you to complete a task. It will state ‘Please attach the relevant document(s) as specified in our recent email’ Please upload your Bachelor’s Degree Certificate at the earliest opportunity; we are looking for evidence of a 2.2, 2.1 or 1^st. Please complete this even if you have already emailed it to us.

If you only have a transcript you can upload this instead, but it may take us a little longer to send you a Firm Offer as we will need to verify it first.

How long does it take to get security clearance?

Clearance will take several months – each case is unique so we are unable to provide timescales.

I've received a copy of my DBS clearance, what do I need to do with it?

This is a copy for your own records, no further action is needed from you.

When should I hand in my notice to my current employer?

Our advice would be to not hand your notice in until you receive your 'Firm Offer'; you will receive this when all conditions of the offer have been met - Medical, Security & Qualification.

Can I complete my security clearance forms on a mobile?

No, there are some parts of the website that are not compatible with a mobile, we would also recommend completing using either Chrome or Edge as your browser. Safari is not compatible.

When will my current employer be contacted and will this be done without me knowing?

Employer checks are the final stage of the clearance process. If you are currently employed, the resourcing Admin team will contact you for permission to contact your current employer. We will not contact them without your permission.

What email does confirmation of clearance come from?

SecurityVetting.Stevenage@mbda.co.uk

How long after receiving SC confirmation will I get my Firm offer?

Providing all other conditions are met, you will receive your firm offer within two weeks.

How long does SC take to process?

Clearance should take around three months unless you are asked for any additional information from UKSV or the MBDA Vetting team throughout the process. In this case, there is no maximum time your clearance could take however if it is nearing your start date and you still don’t have an update, we will contact you with the next steps.

Does being a dual national impact how long SC takes?

You may be asked additional questions because of your Dual Nationality status, which could impact the duration.

What’s the SC process if you are a returner?

If you are a returner, you will need to complete the First Advantage application again. Once complete, MBDA vetting will request that UKSV reinstate your clearance.

What am I allowed to tell people when they ask where I’ll be working?

You can tell people that you will be working for MBDA and update your Linked In profile, if you have one. Once you start with us, you will receive guidance on the information you can share. Any information that is NOT in the public domain, should not be shared with non-MBDA employees.

Can I take a summer job before I start or will it affect security clearance?

Yes you can! This won’t affect your clearance however we will have to do a current employer check before you start.

Can I travel whilst my security application is processing?

Yes you can; Everything will be completed online and all updates and queries will be sent via email. You'll also need to keep a record of all your travel documents.

What is DV Clearance?

DV (developed vetting) is a clearance that is more thorough and sits above the usual Security Clearance (SC). Generally, an early careers position will not require DV but this may be something you need in the future if you go into a role which requires frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET material.

What happens if I haven’t heard from UKSV/NSV for a while?

Don’t worry! UKSV/NSV will not contact you unless they need further information from you. Once complete your NSV portal will be updated before we are notified. Once we have done our final checks we will notify you via email to let you know that your clearance is complete.

What is the difference between First Advantage and UKSV?

First Advantage do the initial background checks. Once those checks are complete, you will complete your SC application with UKSV. The application will ask for more in-depth information regarding your education, employment and family history.

What should be entered in Additional Details section of my UKSV application?

You need to be upfront and honest when completing your security clearance application. Therefore, if you have anything you feel has not been asked about or you feel the need to declare something then this is the field to add any further details in.

If you are unsure whether to include certain information and want to chat about it, please call the MBDA security vetting team on 01438 755000 or email them at securityvetting.stevenage@mbda.co.uk.

Your offer Congratulations on your offer!

You've made a great decision!