Complex Warheads: Lethality Engineer - Undergraduate Placement

Complex Warheads:
Lethality Engineer – Undergraduate Placement 2026

Are you interested in modelling the lethal performance of MBDA’s Complex Weapon Systems? We are seeking an undergraduate to join our niche group of engineers, enabling MBDA to provide world‑leading defence capabilities for our home Nations and Allies.

Salary
: £23,495

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working
:
We aim for 3‑4+ days on site to begin with, and as you gain confidence and experience we will seek a blended approach to on‑site and remote working. Full‑time on‑site working is also an option.

Security Clearance
:
British Citizen or Dual UK national with British citizenship. After the offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS). Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply.

Closing date for this role
:
Midnight on 5 January 2026 (subject to application volumes).

• 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 more

The Complex Warheads Centre of Excellence is a coordinated team situated across sites in Stevenage, Bolton and Paris and its role is to:

• Act as the company’s design authority for warheads.
• Predict the lethal performance of various types of missile systems.
• Provide knowledge in the skill areas of warheads, explosives, target detection and weapon lethality.

The Lethality team in Stevenage primarily undertakes modelling of the missile terminal engagement, the target detection, warhead detonation and lethal performance prediction.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a niche group of engineers with mixed expertise, involved in assessing the lethal performance of various missile systems. The skills we utilise are not typical in academia and so joining the team presents an opportunity to develop knowledge in numerous aspects of missile lethality that you would not develop anywhere else.

With support and mentorship from the team’s engineers, you will be involved in applying a custom set of modelling tools to evaluate and investigate the lethal performance of developing and future missile systems against a range of targets. Our in‑house tools are principally fast‑running evaluation models written in MATLAB; however, other tools ranging from CAD design software to complex finite element style hydrocodes see occasional use.

Joining us will build your knowledge and enable you to apply an understanding of fuzing techniques, warhead technologies, lethal effects and lethality assessment modelling methods to various types of missile systems in development by MBDA.

You will be encouraged to work on your own or in a small team, with limited supervision, on short tasks (typically a few weeks to a few months in duration). Some projects may include collaboration with other MBDA departments around Europe.

Degree qualified in an Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computing or Applied Science discipline to a minimum 2:2.

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 recognize that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Entry level

Full‑time

Design and Engineering