Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering - Level 6 Higher Degree Apprenticeship

MBDA is a leading defence organisation that is proud to support our Armed Forces in protecting our nations. We collaborate with governments to achieve a shared goal of defending our freedom.

Salary: £18,000 plus a £3,000 joining bonus

Closing date for this role is midnight on Monday 22nd January

What we can offer you:

• Fully funded qualification starting in September 2024

• Fantastic site facilities, including subsidised meals and free car parking

• Fully supported learning and development programme

• Flexible working

• 25 days annual leave (plus up to 15 days flexi leave) and additional study leave for exams

Working pattern:

Where possible, we will seek to accommodate a blended approach to on-site and remote working, but this will depend on project requirements and the need for access to specific site facilities.

The opportunity

Our Systems Engineers love to bring things together. Without the work that they do, our entire weapon system wouldn't do what it needed to do, when it is needed most.

Our products need many elements to make them work, many departments to make those elements function as best they can, and forward thinking systems engineers to bring together these elements and functions. This ensures that our products are delivered to our customers to the high standards that they have come to know us for.

This apprenticeship is a great opportunity to learn how weapon systems work, perform, and communicate with each other, and to understand how we take products from feasibility through to development and then to delivery.

Through this four year programme you'll be building up knowledge and contributing to teams working on products at any stage of the product lifecycle – building up your knowledge to become a future team leader or technical specialist. On any given day you could be involved in Design work, Future Concepts, Testing, Verification and Validation activities or supporting trials. The team work with technical specialists in multiple areas of the business, and we need to be comfortable with working with lots of people, but also lots of detail – often of a highly technical nature.

Specialise in algorithmic thinking and coding, hardware installation and analysis, or remain a broader Systems Engineer working on future battlespace storyboarding, the choice is yours. Your potential is limitless - we'll help you shape the career you want.

Programme Structure

You will study towards a BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions at University Centre Weston, which will be fully funded by MBDA over four years. You will attend university one day a week and when you are not at university, you'll work within our business.

This four-year scheme will be spent supporting either the System Analysis or System Design Weapon Systems Function, each of which consists of multiple departments and areas of specialism.

You will be allocated a home department within one of these functions and each rotation within the function will last six months so you'll get a great opportunity to truly understand how that team works.  You will also have the opportunity to complete rotations outside of this function, in other areas of MBDA.

All teams work closely together across a variety of different areas and stages of the product lifecycle, meaning our apprentices get the opportunity to work in exciting and varied roles.  Depending on projects we are working on and which phase of the product lifecycle, your placements could be in:

• Weapon Systems

• Algorithms & Performance

• Network Communications

• Command and Control

• Software Engineering

• Cyber

• Trials

• Weapon System Simulation & Experimentation

There will also be the opportunity to complete software related placements during your apprenticeship.

Due to the variety of work, and teams we work with, this role would suit anyone with a keen interest in Maths or Physics.

Find more details about the course here:

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to join an apprenticeship scheme that has developed winners of some of the most prestigious apprenticeship awards in the UK

What we're looking for from you:

This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying. We will not be able to consider applications from anyone that does not meet the following two requirements:

1) 120 UCAS points achieved through:

• 3 B's or ABC in A Level including Maths or Computing/Computer Science

• T-Level at Merit or Distinction in a Software Engineering/Computing field 3 B's or ABC at A level.

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at a minimum grade of DDM in a Computing/IT related subject

2) 5 x GCSES including Maths & English Language & Science/Technology (all sciences or IT) at Grade 9 - 4

Please note: We look at entry criteria based on your top three full A Levels or equivalent qualifications (BTEC/T Level). We do not include UCAS points gained from an Extended Project Qualification. Additionally, as an employer we set our own entry criteria based on the requirements of this role. This means that the criteria above can differ from the university/college.

Our Business

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.

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. We also welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), Twitter (@MBDAcareers), Instagram (lifeatMBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Please Note: MBDA UK Limited requires all employees to achieve the required medical and national security clearance for their role. Further restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may also 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.

Due to the nature of our business, this particular vacancy requires the applicant as a minimum to be a British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship and capable of achieving the clearance levels mentioned above.