Electro-Optic Seekers Systems Engineer Undergraduate Placement 2025

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Electro-Optic Seekers Systems Engineer Undergraduate Placement 2025

Working pattern:

Our roles will typically involve working on site amongst our team of highly skilled engineers and lab equipment, with some opportunities to work from home depending on the role.

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. 

Closing date for this role is midnight on Monday 19th November

The opportunity:

Our Electro-Optic (EO) Seekers & Systems 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 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 core teams you will be able to:

• Systems – Support major MBDA programmes by designing and certifying EO products
• Technologies - Innovate and develop cutting edge technologies alongside experts in the field
• Modelling – 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:

• Currently studying towards a degree in Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Computing or any relevant applied Sciences 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.

Our company:

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.

What we can offer you:

• 10 month undergraduate placement starting September 2025
• Fantastic site facilities, including subsidised meals and free car parking
• A placement that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world engineering projects and technologies
• Flexible working

About MBDA

A leading company in the defence industry, we collaborate across Europe to develop cutting-edge defence capabilities that keep our nation and its allies safe. What we work together to achieve is important. And it gives everyone the opportunity to become the best at what they do – from software and mechanical engineering to finance and business management. As a graduate or apprentice on one of our structured programmes, you’ll become part of a highly skilled defence community and well supported to sharpen both your expertise and your thinking.

We’re recognised as one of the UK’s Best Places to Work (Glassdoor, 2022) and were awarded Gold status by the 5% Club regarding workplace learning. That’s due in part to our world-class training and development. With us, you’ll have the chance to work with innovative technology and inspiring colleagues. You’ll also benefit from exposure across our hugely diverse organisation. 

This is a rare chance to work with and learn from industry leaders, technical experts and bold thinkers at the very start of your career – so that you can shape its direction along pathways you’re passionate about. Explore more and join us.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.