Software Modeling Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2026

Software Modeling Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2026

Salary: £18,750 plus a £3000 joining bonus

Work Location: MBDA Stevenage

Learning Provider Location: Cranfield MK:U

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 23RD JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

What we can offer you:

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2026
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• Healthcare Cash Plan: provides support with everyday health related costs – including medical, dental, optical, physio and health & wellbeing
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

The opportunity

System modelling is a vital tool used to ensure MBDA provides reliable and cost efficient weapon systems to our customers!

We build a variety of dynamic system performance models, embedded systems and real time models for MBDA products. Our models are developed and used extensively throughout the product lifecycle, from feasibility through to service support. When used internally our performance models allow our system designers to estimate performance which they can use to guide the product design. For our customer, these models provide a method of verifying system performance, whilst reducing reliance on prohibitively expensive testing and trials. Our real time models contribute to training environments for pilots and provide numerous engineering testing capabilities. Once the product is in service, the customer continues to use our models to understand the systems and assist with operator training.

Models of modern weapon systems consist of a large number of automated subsystems integrated together to provide the overall capability. This provides unique challenges when:

• Developing accurate system models that are both large in scale and highly sophisticated with many interdependencies.
• Developing lower fidelity models designed to run at real time whilst maintaining an accurate representation of the weapon system.

As a model developer this means you will often encounter new and exciting challenges which will require you to apply intuition and innovation to optimally tackle!

You will learn how to build simulation software in programming languages/environments such as:

• Mathworks (MATLAB, Simulink and Stateflow)
• Fortran
• C/C++

Our teams implement Agile working practices and dynamic working across multiple projects to meet demand, aided by the use of collaborative tools. We work closely with other departments and companies to integrate subsystem models and design data. From these interactions you'll gain a broad understanding of each subsystem that makes up the weapon, and how the system architecture integrates the subsystems to provide an overall capability.

Programme structure

You will study towards a BSc (Hons) degree in Digital and Technology Solutions Software Engineer at Cranfield MK:U, which is fully funded by MBDA over four years. Course delivery is a blend of virtual and face to face.

This apprenticeship programme contains one virtual study day a week (on average) with the university and the remainder of the working week is spent in rotational placements round the Simulation & Modelling department. At the start and end of each module, you will spend three days learning on site at university. You'll gain vast experience on multiple projects and develop diverse abilities to complete tasks.

Placements outside the department are also encouraged for our apprentices to gain knowledge of the wider business.

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 otherwise your application will not be considered. If you are currently studying and predicted to meet these requirements by the start date you are welcome to apply.

GCSEs:

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4

This must include:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Any Science or Technology subject

After GCSEs:

After your GCSEs you must have completed one of the following and achieved 120 UCAS Tariff points:

• 3 x A levels to include Maths at Grade B as minimum plus another STEM subject at Grade C or above. Grades below a C will not be considered.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at a minimum grade of DDM including a Distinction in Further Maths module.
• T-Level at Merit or Distinction in an Engineering subject

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 may differ from the university.

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. For further information, please view our Security & Vetting page.

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.