Commercial Placement 2027

Join us in winning work, delivering on promises and building trusted relationships.

You'll help secure new opportunities, support keys project to ensure we meet our contractual commitments and work closely with key stakeholders to make a real impact.

Salary: £24,460

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site but this will depend on project and function requirements and the need for access to specific site facilities.

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

• 1 year placement: starting September 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
• 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…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The opportunity

• The Commercial team provide direction, guidance and support on all aspects of winning and delivering business for MBDA, across our product portfolio. As the customer-facing Function, the team plays a vital role in winning new business, negotiating agreements, and managing contracts from the early route to contract stage through to contract award, delivery and closure. Working closely with our customer and key stakeholders, Commercial help shape successful partnerships and deliver value throughout the contract lifecycle.
• You'll experience the excitement of working on programmes that deliver cutting-edge capability to our customers. You'll gain hands-on experience in negotiating commercial solutions, managing contracts and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, giving you a unique insight into how commercial decisions shape business success.
• No two days are the same in this placement! You'll engage with a range of stakeholders across the business, such as Project Management & Control regarding the delivery of a contract and management of schedules; Procurement for the management of supplier contracts; and Finance for any matters relating to receipt of customer payments and payments to subcontractors.
• This role is ideal for those looking to combine commercial thinking with contract delivery, working on complex contracts that make a real impact, and in a collaborative and supportive environment.

We'll provide practical training to develop your skills in:

• Understanding how a contract is agreed and managed.
• Understanding how MBDA bid for new work, including constructing and pricing Commercial proposals.
• Building and maintaining relationships with customers and other stakeholders.
• Presenting and communicating in various forums.
• Analysing and solving business challenges and positively influencing business decisions.

This will be achieved with support and mentorship from a skilled and experienced team.

What we're looking for from you

• Current undergrad working towards a degree in a Business and Management, Politics, Law, English Studies or Economics subject.

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.

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.