Early Careers Programmes

YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF DEFENCE

At MBDA we offer a wide range of programmes across the Business and have a well established history of delivering Graduate and Apprenticeship programmes. Our schemes offer an excellent opportunity to work for a global organisation, where you will play an important role in protecting our land, skies and seas. Most of our opportunities are rotational so you could move around the business gaining essential knowledge and experience, which will help you to define your future career. You may also have the opportunity to travel and a limited number of people may complete a placement abroad.

Recruiting over 200 Early Careers members each year creates a great community feel at MBDA. We promote social activities through our societies and sports teams, we make 'work life balance' a reality with our flexible benefits and we give employees the opportunity to give something back by volunteering.

We believe our Early Careers members are the future of defence and because of this, you will receive the up-most support as well as bespoke training and development courses to become the best version of yourself.

 

Programmes Available

Graduate Programmes - Our 2 year scheme provides a great foundation to a rewarding and successful career. As you move around the business in different placements, you will build an exceptional amount of knowledge, gain experience and build a strong network. To find out more, click here.

Undergraduate Placements - Our 10 month programmes offer university students an incredible platform to experience where your career could take you. This will put your knowledge from your degree into practice and prepare you for your future career. These roles often lead to an offer for one of our graduate programmes. To find out more, click here.

Summer Placements - Our 10 - 12 week placements offer university students the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the organisation and industry. This is a great way to add remarkable work experience to your CV and support your degree. These roles often lead to an offer for one of our graduate programmes. To find out more, click here.

Apprenticeships - Our 4 year schemes offer you the opportunity to achieve a recognised qualification in either Engineering, Software or Business, whilst gaining incredible work experience at one of the worlds leading defence organisations. To find out more, click here.

Work Experience - We typically offer work experience at each of our sites in the UK, we are currently in the process of redesigning this programme. Please check back reguarly for updates.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

MBDA is committed to providing comprehensive training for all employees. We have online platforms offering thousands of training courses from technical knowledge to personal development.

As part of our benefits, we offer funding each year towards further study, such as a professional qualification or language classes. Our graduates also receive support with Chartership during their scheme.

Our Early Careers members follow a structured training and development programme, which is designed to provide you with the best tools for you to develop and have a successful career. This can include a 3 day interaction event in the first week, resilience training, a 5 day residential course, early careers forums, well-being sessions and careers workshops. More details can be found on the programme specific pages.

 

EXTRA WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

On top of your day to day job, there are plenty of extra activities you can get involved in during your time on our programmes.

STEM and Outreach
Early Careers members play an important role in inspiring the next generation. We run a variety of events local to our sites, such as Robot Rumble, Flying Start Challenge and Glider Challenge. You can also become a STEM Ambassador, where you can bring STEM subjects to life for younger people.

We reguarly attend school and university careers fairs, which we require early careers members to support. You will be able to show other students your journey of what you have learnt, how you have developed and what MBDA can offer. This will aid your personal development and help with things such as communciation and presentation skills.

Volunteering
Volunteering is an important part of our culture and we give back to our local communities in a variety of ways. One example is Charity Challenge, we have passionate teams at each of our sites who help and support a number of worthy causes. 

 

BENEFITS & REWARDS

We offer a variety of great benefits to suit your individual needs. Our Early Careers Members receive the same benefits as all our permanent employees, including a number of core benefits, such as 25 days holiday, paid overtime and access to a pension scheme. In addition, we offer fantastic flexible benefits for you to choose from.

We focus on 'work life balance' by operating a flexi-time system, where you can choose your start and finish times* and build up extra hours to take additional days leave.

Our employees well-being is important to us so we offer free pyschological, financial and legal advice. From a social aspect, we offer an onsite gym at Stevenage, we run a sports and social club and offer a wide range of discounts at multiple retailers and restaurants.

To view the full list of our early careers benefits, please click here.

*in line with business perimeters

THE MBDA COMMUNITY

MBDA is one large community. Our colleagues run a variety of activities that are open to all employees, such as sports teams, societies and social events.

There is a large number of Early Careers members so you will instantly have a community around you. Your peers are going through the same structure, which allows you to help each other and offer advice based on your own experiences.

There will always be support offered throughout your scheme. Most of our schemes offer a 'Buddy' prior to you starting. They will be able to answer any questions and help you settle into the company. Once you have joined, you can decide between you if you would like to have regular meetings. Graduates, Apprentices and Undergraduates also have access to our Mentor Scheme, this can be anyone in the business to help you with your career development.

 

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Our recruitment process is unique to other businesses as we focus on strengths, rather than competencies. All of our schemes start with an online application, you will be required to provide your personal details and answer a few questions relevant to the role you have applied for. 

If you are eligible, you will be invited to complete an online assessment. If successful, your application will be passed to the hiring manager for review and you may be invited to an assessment centre. This will consist of strength based activities and an interview.

Successful candidates will be offered the role based on the following conditions: grades, medical and security clearance.