Weapon Systems Algorithms Engineer Summer Internship 2027

An Algorithm Engineer's role is to build the code that forms the digital nervous system of a product. In the Weapons System Algorithms & Performance team (WSAP), your solutions and ideas will impact emerging and future technologies.

It's our job to develop and optimise the algorithms inside weapon systems across the whole of MBDA.

Salary: £24,460 (pro-rata)

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

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.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 4th January 2027 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you

• 10 week placement: Starting June 2027, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies
• Perform well on your placement and you could secure a graduate role before your final year
• Pension: Maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: Opportunity for paid overtime
• Annual Leave: 5 days
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more.

The opportunity

• As an Engineer in the Weapon Systems Design division, you will be part of a rapidly expanding area of the MBDA business - providing specialist technical support at system level to a range of high-profile projects, including Future Combat Air System (FCAS), STRATUS and DragonFire.
• The Weapon System Algorithms and Performance (WSAP) department specialises in a broad range of areas: developing cutting-edge algorithms, mathematically evaluating the performance of products, and working with the future business teams to bring technical excellence to our future concepts. We leverage the use of leading technologies and tools such as deep reinforcement learning and test-driven algorithm development to provide optimised weapon system solutions across the whole of the MBDA product line.
• Over your time in the department, you'll have visibility on not only algorithm development but weapon system architecture, performance modelling, and early stage concepting. Starting as an Algorithms Engineer in WSAP, you will work directly with MBDA project teams to ensure the delivery of critical algorithm components on time, on cost, and on quality to key programmes.
• Our algorithms team is currently working on: Routing algorithms for long-range strike weapons; Operator decision aids for strike mission planning; Threat evaluation & weapon assignment algorithms for air defence; Multi-weapon co-operation; Application of machine learning techniques to air-to-air combat.
• Regardless of which project you work on, you'll be part of a team comprising some of the most talented engineers, scientists and technicians in their fields, helping to deliver innovative battle-winning capabilities to MBDA's customers across the globe

What we're looking for from you

• Current undergraduate working towards a degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or Computer Science.
• We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants with a strong interest in mathematics and applying mathematical techniques to engineering problems. Experience in programming for scientific/engineering applications (e.g. MATLAB, Python) would be an advantage.

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.

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

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.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

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.

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.

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.