Electro-Optic Seekers & Systems Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2027

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.

The opportunity:

Would you like to utilise your degree to push the cutting edge of sensing and imaging technology? This opportunity within the Electro-Optics Seekers and Sensors will allow you to innovate within a supportive team, at a company that invests in its people and supports our Armed Forces.

Our Electro-Optic (EO) Seekers & Sensors department provides expertise and support into all projects within MBDA involving EO technologies, as well as investing in research and development of innovative technologies which will shape the future of our products. We work on projects that cover the whole product lifecycle from concept and assessment through to full product design, testing and production. This role presents an exciting opportunity to experience all of these areas through a range of systems design, computational modelling, lab testing and field trials within a diverse team of engineers.

Some of the EO technologies we specialise in include:

• Infra-Red (IR) Seekers & Sensors
• Optics
• Computational Imaging
• Lasers & Directed Energy Weapons

Across the department we have a variety of different teams to get involved in, who work together to deliver our overall functional capability. We all interact regularly through team meetings, events and socials to continue to grow as a department. We also collaborate closely with the technical community across MBDA and the wider defence industry. Within our department you will be able to undertake work with the following teams:

• Systems Engineering – Support major MBDA programmes by designing and certifying EO products
• Technologies - Innovate and develop cutting edge technologies alongside experts in the field
• Modelling and Tools – Generate models for EO systems and use these to predict performance
• Scene Generation – Create synthetic IR imagery for these models to test different scenarios
• Trials – Assess real EO systems through lab testing and field trials

You will have the opportunity to work across all these different areas to discover your passion in engineering and develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your career within EO Seekers & Systems.

What we're looking for from you:

• Current undergraduate studying for a degree in a Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Computing or any Applied Science discipline.
• We are looking for candidates with an interest in electro-optic systems and technologies, who are keen to apply their knowledge and skills to challenge themselves, the team and our technical capability.

What will you gain?

Throughout the year-long placement, you will learn how MBDA designs our systems to be supportable, and then how we ensure they stay supported whilst In-Service. You will gain experience as a member of the teams that are delivering on our contractual commitments, carrying out real world engineering support analysis and investigations to ensure our products can be relied upon for decades.

• Work on a mix of design, development, troubleshooting, and repair tasks, gaining practical experience on a live Project with real impact across the entire product lifecycle.
• You will be analysing operational scenarios to ensure our Systems can be used in the ‘real world' and not just in models or laboratories. This goes beyond the analysis of technical documentation and into direct contact with the Armed Forces to reflect their experiences back into our Products.
• You will develop essential engineering skills as well as a broad understanding of how MBDA interacts with our customers. CSS excels in being able to provide placements that encompass both technical engineering as well as the opportunity to learn how a global player in the Defence Industry operates.
• CSS is one of the few departments within MBDA that communicates at all levels within the business, as well as externally to all of our Customers. This unique opportunity will enhance your communication skills; requiring you to tailor your conversations based on your audience and your objective.

What we can offer you

• 1 year placement: starting September 2027, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies 
• Perform well on your placement and you could secure a graduate role before your final year
• 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…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

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.

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