Graduate Programmes
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Graduate Programmes Overview

Our graduate programmes are a great opportunity for you to discover a career in national security. Most programmes take place over two years, where you’ll complete 4 x 6-month placements: 3 in your specialist area and 1 elsewhere in the business. Our finance programme runs over three years to give you an in-depth insight on how we operate.

You’ll be supported to challenge yourself, to ask questions and to build a valuable network. Our rotational placements enable you to grow and get real hands-on experience. We’ll also provide you with everything you need to reach your potential, including career advice, bespoke training and even the chance to earn professional qualifications.

Starting in September, our graduate programmes have a starting salary of £31,500 plus a £3,000 joining bonus (which is paid in your first months salary). With access to a range of other benefits on top of this, there's no better way to start your career.

Applications for our September 2025 programme are now closed; register your interest with us using the link below and we'll let you know when we open for applications for programmes that could be of interest to you.

Training and Development

Inductions

We've a great induction programme to make sure you feel supported when you need it the most. Before you start your programme you'll be invited to attend a pre-join event, where you can see the site, meet your fellow programme members and meet yout team.

In the first week you'll have a full diary of activities to help you get to know MBDA and make sure you’re set up with all you need!

Later in the year, you’ll have another two-day event with the chance to network with key stakeholders across your site.

Health and Safety training

All you need to know to keep you safe and well in work.

Technical Foundation Course (for those in Technical roles/depts.)

As part of this course, you’ll be introduced to the processes and technology we use to design, develop and manufacture missile systems.

Year 1 - Nationally run one week course where various functions describe how their department contributes to the build of a missile system.

Year 2 - International course either in London or Paris with a focus on group project work and how the business operates makes profit.

Generation Healthy Minds Masterclass Series and Boost Sessions

Run with our partners at Gen H Minds, these sessions will ensure you have the tools and strategies to support your mental and physical health. In your first year, you’ll have the opportunity to attend two face-to-face Healthy Minds Masterclasses as well as strategic virtual Booster Sessions.

Career Development Workshop

This workshop is designed to help you take ownership of your career and design a path suited to you. It will help you to understand the Company Talent Strategy, as well as know how your personality type, career drivers and priorities might influence the path you take. We help you plan your personal development pathways at MBDA, so you know who to speak to and how to influence conversations about your future. You’ll have the chance to practice and refine your interview techniques and ask questions of a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Graduate Development Workshops- N-DEV-R

Run with our Partners The Dove Nest Group, a full development workshop series spanning a virtual briefing, followed by a five-day residential, two virtual follow up sessions and your Charity Presentation session. A great chance to get to know yourself and your Graduate colleagues better.

STEM & Outreach

We recognise the importance of inspiring the next generation of Engineers and our employees love to get involved to help with this important work.

We have a well established STEM Ambassador network and you can get involved in core events that we run at each of our sites.

We also actively encourage our Early Careers members to use their own stories to encourage others to consider a career in defence - it's also a great way to develop your confidence in public speaking and delivering presentations.

Benefits & Rewards

Annual Bonus

Every year in February, we reward our dedicated employees with an annual bonus. Exact amounts and percentages will vary by job grade and on business performance. This can be discussed/explained further with a member of the Resourcing team during your application process.

We are proud to say that we were able to award our annual bonus to employees even through tough economic times in recent years, when other employers were less fortunate.

25 Days Annual Leave (plus holiday purchase)

Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays.

After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones.

You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.

Dynamic Working

We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.

When applying, please check the job advert for details, then make sure to discuss what to expect with your recruiter.

VIDEO: What Dynamic Working Means to Me (click the image to open YouTube link)

Enhanced Parental Leave

We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave.

Our enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.

We also offer 2 weeks enhanced pay for paternity leave, and neonatal care leave for up to 12 weeks where a period of extended hospital care is required after birth. Employees also have access to support whilst undergoing fertility testing and treatments.

Lifestyle - Discounts & Vouchers

Discounts – The Discounts platform includes a great range of features such as: discounts, instant vouchers, reloadable cards, easy saver cards, cashback, mobile app and Wellbeing Centre.

Costco - Permanent employees of MBDA qualify for Costco’s individual membership.

Technology Vouchers – Purchase the latest gadgets and white goods up to the value of £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months.

Charity Donations - Donate up to five charities each month, with full tax relief on all donations.

MyCar Scheme – The MBDA MyCar Scheme offers employees the opportunity to access up to two new vehicles via a salary sacrifice arrangement including an all-inclusive package.

Holiday Purchase – Purchase up to 5 days' extra holiday whilst making tax and National Insurance savings, spreading the cost over 12 months.

Gyms & Social Clubs

Healthworks Gym Membership - The Healthworks on-site gym at our Stevenage site offers a range of facilities and equipment, alongside a variety of classes available during the week.

Annual Gym Membership – Take advantage of discounted membership at over 3,600 of the UK's leading gym chains, leisure centres, hotel health clubs, independent gyms, boot camps and yoga studios.

The Club –The Club provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great social activities - from theatre trips, days out, to sporting activities.

Pension & Finance

Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a 'Defined Contribution' plan in the Mercer Master Trust, administered by Scottish Widows. The standard contributions are 4% of an employee's base salary and 6% employer contributions. You can increase both employee and employer contributions by up to 2%.

Financial Awareness – Employees have access to free financial webinars hosted throughout the year, along with access to a financial education website which provides plenty of useful hints, tips and guidance on managing financial wellness.

Share Incentive Plan - Acquire shares in our UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, the scheme is tax efficient on shares purchased.

Mortgage Advice – As part of our financial wellbeing initiative employees can access free of charge mortgage advice and webinars.

Season Ticket Loan – Employees can borrow the value of public transport season ticket for bus or train journeys to and from work and spread the cost over 12 months.

Critical Illness – To help reduce the financial impact after being diagnosed with a critical illness, employees receive a tax-free lump sum payment that can be used for any purpose including covering medical expenses, adjustments to lifestyle and more.

Share Incentive Plan

The Share Incentive Plan (SIP) is available for you to join and reinforces our commitment to long-term share ownership amongst our employees.

Free Financial Advice

We know money matters in life, so we want to make sure our employees are both paid what they deserve, and also have access to resources that can help them plan for the future.

Through selected partnerships, we offer a range of free seminars, held throughout the year, to help you make good financial decisions for now and the future.

Extracurricular Learning Budget

You can receive up to £150 towards the cost of approved courses each year including group language lessons.

Health and Wellbeing

Employee Assistance Programme - The Employee Assistance Programme is free, independent, confidential and is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Employees have access to short-term counselling (which includes up to 8 structured face to face, telephone or virtual sessions).

Voluntary Private Medical Insurance – Private Medical Insurance offers three healthcare plans to suit your individual requirements for you and your family.

Funded Private Medical Insurance - Eligible employees (Grade C & Above) are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.

See which functions are a match for your degree using our handy matcher!

If there is more than one function that you are interested in, you can apply for up to 3 roles with us.

Entry Criteria & Application Process

Our entry criteria

General entry criteria is a 2.2 (minimum) undergraduate degree. Each function has specific degree subject requirements, which are listed on the job adverts.

Our application process: 1. Submit an application

Our application form contains a few factual questions, some questions relating to the role you have applied for and a section for you to tell us all about you!

2. Online assessment - Part One

Next in our process is part one of our online strengths assessment, completely tailored to our business and early careers schemes. After completing our assessment you'll receive a personalised report. If you've applied for more than one role with us, you'll only need to complete this assessment once.

3. Online assessment - Part Two

Part two of our online assessments include three video recorded tasks which are authentic work scenario based activities which you could be doing on your programme - we refer to these as job simulations.

4. Internal review

Hiring managers and members of the recruitment team assess your application and assessment results and if successful, you'll be shortlisted for our assessment centres.

5. Assessment centre

Our strength based assessment centre is a half day virtual experience! You’ll get to work on a range of tasks, meet current programme members and people from the department you have applied for. All candidates receive feedback on their performance.

6. Offer

We’ll call you within three weeks of your assessment day to talk through your feedback and the finer details of your offer, as well as next steps.

AI in our application process

At MBDA, we believe in the power of technology to enhance our work and the potential of our future talent.

We understand that candidates may use tools to improve their applications. At MBDA, we emphasize the importance of using this technology ethically and responsibly. Innovation and integrity are two of our values at MBDA.

Use AI to Enhance, Not Replace:

Drafting and Editing: Let AI help you organize and polish your application, but ensure your personal voice and experiences shine through to show us your authentic self.
Research and Preparation: Use AI to gather insights about our company and the role, demonstrating your understanding and alignment with our values.

Avoid Misuse:

Originality is Key: Submitting AI-generated content without personalization can be easily spotted. Authenticity and honesty are crucial.
Final Review: Always conduct a thorough manual review to ensure your application reflects your true self and adheres to context-specific nuances.

MBDA People

Gain an insight into how we work and who you could be working alongside.

Amber

Graduate Hardware In The Loop Engineer

Rebecca

Brimstone Seeker Proving Lead

Shakunt

Graduate Mechanical Engineer

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Graduate Programmes Really feel part of something