The UK arm of European missile maker MBDA, with sites at Stevenage, Bristol and Bolton and a range of graduate programmes and apprenticeships.
MBDA is a European defence company that designs and makes missile systems. In the UK its engineers work on weapon system software, electronics, mechanical design, testing and manufacturing, and its support teams cover procurement, finance and project management. A 2027 graduate listing starts with a line that sums up its outlook: "Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given."
MBDA describes its aim as defending freedom by supporting the Armed Forces, and says it wants to "inspire team innovation to solve some of the biggest challenges". That is a defence business, so think about whether the work is right for you. Many roles need UK security checks, and graduate roles ask for British citizenship or dual UK nationality.
The UK head office is in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Bristol (Filton) is home to many of the systems and software engineering teams, and Bolton in Greater Manchester is a manufacturing site. In May 2025 the UK government said MBDA was investing £200 million at Bolton as part of a wider £500 million commitment, and that the site would more than double in size by 2028, creating around 700 jobs. MBDA says it works with more than 700 UK small and medium businesses.
MBDA's own pages describe employee networks covering gender equality, Pride, neurodiversity, ethnic diversity, menopause, parents and carers, and the Armed Forces. The company reports a 74:26 male to female ratio and a 2026 Flexa award for work-life balance. Its sites have subsidised canteens, and its benefits include 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, up to 15 flexi days and a pension of up to 14% combined contribution. These are company claims.
MBDA says it has more than 400 early-career professionals in the UK. Routes include graduate programmes, degree apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships. The Manufacturing Test Engineer Graduate Programme for September 2027 lasts two years at Stevenage or Bolton, pays £31,900 plus a £3,000 joining bonus, asks for a 2.2 or above in a relevant degree, and closes on 2 November 2026 (earlier if it fills). The 2025 Software Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship ran for four years at Bolton, Bristol or Stevenage with a BSc, paid £18,000, and asked for 5 GCSEs and 120 UCAS points. Listings for finance graduate and Level 4 finance higher apprenticeship routes (2027 entry) and for manufacturing operator apprenticeships also exist, and the manufacturing test role says it works across three UK sites.
Website: www.mbda.com
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