Simulation and Modelling Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026
Modelling modern weapon systems comes with many unique challenges. As a model developer, you will be working with highly sophisticated models, built up of multiple interdependent subsystems, to provide an accurate representation of the weapon system being used in real-world engagements. This means you'll often encounter new and exciting problems requiring your intuition and innovation to solve.
Salary: £23,495
Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 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 5TH JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)
What we can offer you
1 year placement: starting September 2026, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies
Company bonus: based on company performance and will vary year to year
Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
Annual Leave: 25 days plus option to purchase extra holiday
Flexi Leave: up to 15 additional days
Facilities: fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
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 discipline (incl. General, Mechanical, Manufacturing / Production, Aeronautical/Aerospace, Software), or Mathematics, Physics, Computing or Natural Science field.
Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given.
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.
We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…
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.
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