Undergraduate Engineer

Tom Griffiths

Aeronautical Engineering

Placement (10 Months+)

MBDA

What made you apply to MBDA UK?

I hadn’t heard of MBDA UK until I saw them at my university careers fair, and after finding out that they are global leaders in missiles and missile technology, a placement at MBDA UK sounded like an excellent opportunity for me. This, along with the flexible working hours and competitive salary meant that I struggled to find a reason not to apply.

How much responsibility were you given during your placement / internship?

I was given quite a lot of responsibility during my placement. For example, I was responsible for overseeing the manufacture and delivery of a major sub-system of a technology development program, and also had the opportunity to lead my own project and run my own trial.

What did you enjoy most about your placement / internship?

I really enjoyed being given responsibility and the opportunity to prove myself to my project team and line manager. To begin with I found it quite technically challenging, as a lot of the work I was doing was outside of my area of expertise, but I enjoyed the challenge and now have a much broader knowledge of engineering principles. I also enjoyed the flexible working hours and dress down Friday, which I think helps create a relaxed atmosphere within the office.

What did you learn on your placement / internship?

I feel I’ve learnt a lot during my placement within MBDA UK, and think it’s been an invaluable insight into industry. I now have a far better understanding of how industry works, and experience working both as and with the customer. I’ve learnt how to integrate into a team as well as work independently, and am now much better at managing my time and prioritising tasks.

Would you want to return to work full time at MBDA UK and if so, why?

I think I would return to MBDA UK as I have really enjoyed my time here as an undergraduate. I’ve been working at the forefront of cutting edge technology that exists nowhere else in the world, and as a company they provide excellent career opportunities for young engineers such as myself.