Simulation and Modelling Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2025
Salary: £20,000 (pro rata)
Location: Stevenage or Bristol
Working pattern:
The majority of your time you'll be working onsite in an office environment with a team of people around you to support you with your work.
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 Thursday 19th December
The opportunity:
System modelling is a vital tool used to ensure MBDA provides reliable and cost effective weapon systems to our customers!
We build a variety of dynamic system performance models, embedded systems and real time models for MBDA products. Our models are developed and used extensively throughout the product lifecycle, from concept through to in service support. When used internally our performance models allow our system designers to estimate performance, which they can use to guide the product design. For our customer, performance models provide a method of verifying system performance whilst reducing reliance on prohibitively expensive testing and trials. Our real time models contribute to training environments for pilots and provide a variety of engineering testing capabilities. Once the product is in service, the customer continues to use our models to understand system capability and assist with operator training.
Models of modern weapon system are made up of a large number of automated subsystems integrated together to provide the overall capability. This provides unique challenges when: developing accurate system - or system of system level - models that are both large in scale and highly sophisticated with many interdependencies; or when developing lower fidelity models designed to run at real time whilst maintaining an accurate representation of the weapon system. As a model developer this means you'll often encounter new and exciting problems which will require you to apply your intuition and innovation to solve.
You'll learn how to build simulation software in programming languages/environments such as:
Our teams implement Agile working practices and dynamic working across multiple projects to meet demand, aided by the use of collaborative tools. We also work closely with other departments and companies to integrate subsystem models and design data. From these interactions you'll gain a broad understanding of each subsystem that makes up the weapon and how the system architecture makes these subsystems work together to provide an overall capability.
This role is best suited to those interested in mathematical modelling and programming, are passionate about solving complex problems within highly technical teams and enjoy working in a supportive environment.
What we're looking for from you:
Currently studying towards a degree in an Engineering (incl. General, Mechanical, Manufacturing / Production, Aeronautical/Aerospace, Software), Mathematics, Physics, Computing or Natural Science 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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