Weapon System Equipment Engineer Review

Lead and support physical design changes in large-scale MBDA projects. This involves organising and leading trials to investigate the suitability of a design for the project.
Manage obsolescence strategy, in addition to managing obsolescence risk reporting and mitigation activities throughout the project.
Resolve technical queries received by the customer. We communicate with experts across the company and collate opinions and findings into actionable tasks.
Ensure all evolutions to project designs are properly reflected into the design definitions and documentation for the product.

I was given significant responsibility during this placement. For example, I was given sole control over two major design changes, and held a supporting role in another. This involved ensuring that all documentation was accurately and properly written and processed to support the design changes.
It also gave freedom to find designs that I thought worked best for the project and gave the opportunity to defend my chosen designs in front of a senior project panel including the chief engineer.
Organising and leading trials was also a large responsibility and it involved leading a team while ensuring that everyone, and all MBDA assets and data, remained safe.

The role is heavily dependent on communication skills as you are constantly communicating with and co-ordinating other MBDA teams.
Organisational skills and task management are also essential and are developed during this placement. This is constantly being developed when organising trials, or by balancing numerous design changes at the same time.

I received a lot of support and guidance throughout my placement from both my manager and other members of my team. I was given independence to try and resolve problems by myself, however, there was always someone there to point me in the right direction if I was struggling with something.
A 'buddy' scheme was also in place to receive support from a recent graduate engineer within the team to help get accustomed to MBDA.

MBDA had a very friendly atmosphere and I never felt intimidated to approach anyone with a question. The members in the WSE team are very welcoming and help you quickly feel like a part of the team.
There is a close-knit community between the graduates and undergraduates which allows for conversation with other employees in a similar position.

I greatly enjoyed this placement and hope for the opportunity to return to MBDA in the future upon the completion of my degree. It offered very flexible working opportunities and has a great support scheme for new starters, especially for undergraduates and graduates.

Yes