Integration & Systems Validation Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2026

• 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

The Integration and System Validation (ISV) team are responsible for assuring MBDA and the customer that the final product meets its requirements and is suitable for use. The trials and testing activities undertaken provide verification and validation evidence for all the missile programmes within the business.

Whether it's software, hardware or an entire missile system, ISV engineers lead the real-world test and integration across the whole product development lifecycle. This includes planning, lab testing, offsite trials and data analysis and reporting.

Examples of ISV activities you could be involved with include:

• Ground Trials: demonstrating our products work across the extremes of environment.
• Firing Trials: end-to-end evaluation firings and customer demonstrations.
• Flight Trials: integrating and trialling our systems on fast jets and helicopters.
• Integration: demonstrating functional and electrical compatibility of hardware and software.
• In-Service Support: testing and monitoring in-service products with the customer.
• Trials Equipment: designing support tools and helping evolve prototype designs.

You will likely have opportunities to travel throughout the UK and internationally to support these activities.

• Practically minded and interested in conducting real-world test of software, hardware and missile systems.
• Creative and practical so that they can work with complex problems and derive logical solutions.
• Solid in their understanding of engineering principles across mechanical, electrical and functional domains, and in the use of test equipment and lab facilities.
• A strong team player who has the ability to communicate across technical and non-technical teams/departments.
• Able to plan tests and trials campaigns, through adaptability, organisation, attention to detail, and dealing with ambiguity.
• Confident in processing, analysing and forming conclusions from data, as well as writing technical documentation.

What we're looking for from you

Current undergraduate studying towards an Engineering, Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Technology, Computing or a General Science discipline., Applying all our energy and focus to every task, recognising our role in providing mission critical capabilities

MBDA develop some of the world's highest performing weapon systems; but how do we demonstrate and prove this? This is the challenge that Integration and Systems Validation (ISV) are facing.

Salary: £23,495

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 4-5 days per week on site due to workload classification

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., At MBDA we value the contributions that our employees make every day towards our purpose. That's why we have lots of benefits in place to ensure that working at MBDA is rewarding in every sense.

We are always working to improve our offering, and rewards may differ depending on your role, so please make sure to ask our recruiters for more info when applying.

Annual Bonus

25 Days Annual Leave (plus holiday purchase)

Dynamic Working

Enhanced Parental Leave

Pension Scheme

Extracurricular Learning Budget

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Financial Advice

Share Incentive Plan

Subsidised Gym Membership

Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounts and Vouchers

Health and Dental Insurance

Costco Membership

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., A world leader in missiles and missile systems. Our multi-national organisation is made up of around 13,000 employees working across the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the US, and is the first truly integrated European defence company. As the European champion in our sector, our vision is to continue to grow our presence as a global player. Our mission is to achieve this by establishing ourselves as an industry leader; promoting co-operation and delivering technical and operational excellence to our customer. Through our combined expertise, we design and deliver innovative missiles and missile systems that help protect our future. We feel proud of the role we play in supporting the armed forces who protect our nations. We partner with our governments to work together towards a common goal defending our freedom., Stevenage: Our UK head office is located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. With Stevenage train station just a few minutes walk away, and our site just a few minutes drive from the A1(M), our people come to work from towns in every direction.MBDA Stevenage has a campus-like community feel to it, with all the facilities you need on site including ample parking, a coffee shop, and a large cafeteria serving nutritious, seasonal meals every day. We also have an on-site (subsidised) gym, and a range of sports and social clubs to join. Bolton: Bolton is home to our state-of-the-art manufacturing site. Here you will find skilled Fitters, Engineers, Procurement specialists and many more dedicated teams helping us deliver our products in time and to the highest standards. Located just a short drive from Bolton, Wigan, Horwich and Chorley, the site is an easy commute for many, and has a subsidised restaurant on site, using fresh, seasonal ingredients to produce nutritional and delicious dishes., "At MBDA you always have to bear in mind that we are all a part of a very important process that defends our freedoms." - Balpreet, Supportability Engineer, Customer Support and Services. We share a unique responsibility that brings purpose to everything we do. We feel proud of the role we play in supporting the armed forces who protect our nations. We partner with our governments to work together towards a common goal defending our freedom. We believe in our values, code of ethics and have conviction in what we do. It's with a shared sense of purpose that we trust, value and respect the contribution that all of our colleagues bring every day.