Systems Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2025

Our Systems Engineers love to bring things together. Without the work that they do, our entire weapon system wouldn't do what it needed to do, when it is needed most.

Our products need many elements to make them work, many departments to make those elements function as best they can, and forward thinking systems engineers to bring together these elements and functions. This ensures that our products are delivered to our customers to the high standards that they have come to know us for.

This apprenticeship is a great opportunity to learn how weapon systems work, perform, and communicate with each other, and to understand how we take products from feasibility through to development and then to delivery.

Through this four year programme you'll be building up knowledge and contributing to teams working on products at any stage of the product lifecycle – building up your knowledge to become a future team leader or technical specialist. On any given day you could be involved in Design work, Future Concepts, Testing, Verification and Validation activities or supporting trials. The team work with technical specialists in multiple areas of the business, and we need to be comfortable with working with lots of people, but also lots of detail – often of a highly technical nature.

Specialise in algorithmic thinking and coding, hardware installation and analysis, or remain a broader Systems Engineer working on future battlespace storyboarding, the choice is yours. Your potential is limitless - we'll help you shape the career you want.

Programme structure:

You will study towards a BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions at University Centre Weston, which will be fully funded by MBDA over four years. In the first year, you will attend university during term-time and during the holidays, you will spend your time working onsite.

This four-year scheme will be spent supporting either the System Analysis or System Design Weapon Systems Function, each of which consists of multiple departments and areas of specialism.

You will be allocated a home department within one of these functions and each rotation within the function will last six months so you'll get a great opportunity to truly understand how that team works. You will also have the opportunity to complete rotations outside of this function, in other areas of MBDA.

All teams work closely together across a variety of different areas and stages of the product lifecycle, meaning our apprentices get the opportunity to work in exciting and varied roles.  Depending on projects we are working on and which phase of the product lifecycle, your placements could be in:

• Weapon Systems
• Algorithms & Performance
• Network Communications
• Command and Control
• Software Engineering
• Cyber
• Trials
• Weapon System Simulation & Experimentation

There will also be the opportunity to complete software related placements during your apprenticeship.

Due to the variety of work, and teams we work with, this role would suit anyone with a keen interest in Maths or Physics.

Find more details about the course here: https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/digital-and-technology-solutions-bsc-hons/

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to join an apprenticeship scheme that has developed winners of some of the most prestigious apprenticeship awards in the UK!

What we're looking for from you:

1)5 GCSES including Maths & English Language & Science/Technology (all sciences or IT) at Grade 9 – 4

2) 120 UCAS points achieved through:

• 3 A-levels. This will include Maths or Computing/Computer Science
• T-Level in a Software Engineering/Computing field at Merit or Distinction
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at a minimum grade of DDM in a Computing/IT related subject

This role has specific qualification level and subject criteria - please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria as we cannot consider applications from anyone that does not meet the requirements.

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.

Our company:

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.

What we can offer you:

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2025
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential. MBDA is proud of our employee-led networks including Gender Equality, Pride, Neurodiversity, Ethnic Diversity, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers and Armed Forces.

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