Aerodynamics Engineer Placement 2026

Aerodynamics Engineer Placement 2026

This scheme offers an excellent opportunity to kick-start your aerodynamics career. Work in one of the most exciting areas of the aerospace industry, alongside a team of outstanding aerodynamicists at the forefront of missile aerodynamics.

Salary: £23,495

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 4+ days per week on-site due to workload classification This role requires on-site working in Bristol for the majority of the time due to security considerations and teamwork. However, we will try to accommodate a limited amount of remote working where there are opportunities to do so.

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 5TH JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

What we can offer you

• 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

You will be able to draw on knowledge and experience from specialist aerodynamics engineers. The aerodynamics department at MBDA works on the entire MBDA UK portfolio of products, from concept phase through to in-service support. As a key player in the UK defence industry, we are able to provide outstanding opportunities across a wide range of applications.

Receive mentorship and support from our team of aerodynamicists to learn to use cutting-edge aerodynamic techniques; designing the missiles of the future. Undertake a placement seeking to expose you to some of the following areas:

• Application and development and use of our bespoke tools alongside commercial software to evaluate the performance of airframes
• Design of a range of missiles, in all the different stages of their development (concept, assessment, development, in-service)
• Stealth, propulsion, thermal and structural aspects of missile design and how these foster a multi-disciplinary design approach
• Missile integration onto land, naval and air platforms
• Integration of solid rocket motors and air-breathing engines into missile airframes, and assessment of their impact on missile aerodynamics and overall performance

The project selected for you will utilise much of the knowledge gained during your university course and apply this to an industry specific problem.

Gain a feel for MBDA and the type of work that we undertake.

What we're looking for from you

Currently studying towards a Degree in an Aerospace engineering, Aeronautical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Production/Manufacturing engineering, Mathematics or Physics discipline.

Aerodynamics and propulsion based modules are most relevant to this role (such as Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Aircraft Performance, Flight Dynamics & Control etc.), please list any that you have studied on your application

Application Process

• 1. Submit an application: Our application form contains a few factual questions, some questions relating to the role you have applied for and a section for you to tell us all about you!
• 2. Online assessment - Part One: Next in our process is part one of our online strengths assessment, completely tailored to our business and early careers schemes. After completing our assessment you'll receive a personalised report.
• 3. Online assessment - Part Two: Part two of our online assessments include three video recorded tasks which are authentic work scenario based activities which you could be doing on your programme - we refer to these as job simulations.
• 4. Assessment centre: Our strength based assessment centre is a half day virtual experience! You’ll get to work on a range of tasks, meet current programme members and people from the department you have applied for. All candidates receive feedback on their performance.
• 5. Offer: We’ll call you within a week of your assessment day to talk through your feedback and the finer details of your offer, as well as next steps.

Information

Training and Development

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of online learning platforms such as Percipio, YouLearn, Career Builder and Video Gateway. Each one is tailored to a specific type of learning. Speak to your line manager to find out more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. You’ll have access to our Learning Gateway, which hosts the formal course catalogue and is where you can select the right training for your role and future development. The catalogue displays which courses are being delivered virtually or are classroom based. If you want to lead a team, you might be interested in our management training, designed for people of all experience levels.

Dynamic Working

The way we work is changing and your schedule will reflect that. For non-executive employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.

Security Clearance

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.

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.