MBDA
System Design Engineer

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Our Sparkworks Radio Frequency (RF) and Low Observability (LO) Systems Team
Our Sparkworks Radio Frequency (RF) and Low Observability (LO) Systems Team champion early lifecycle system definition of revolutionary new and novel systems and capabilities by working at the leading edge of the V-model.
Salary: Up to £55,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: 4 - 5 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.
What we can offer you
- Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (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
- Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The opportunity
This Systems team support the maturation of a range of technologies in the RF directed energy and active & passive stealth domains. The team form a key bridge between technology specialists, system and sub-system designers, and programme management and business development within the Sparkworks sector. The core role of the team is to bring these exciting RF and LO ideas to life for both stakeholders and customers.
Whether embedded in a multi-disciplinary team, or leading an individual work package, you will gain broad engineering experience. Typical activities include:
- Leading/conducting early life-cycle investigations, answering "what if", "when" and "how" questions for future concepts.
- Supporting technology specialists and system definition through carrying out trade studies and interacting with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Leading the development of the system design for future concepts through maturing system, sub-system and equipment level requirements, and analysing and assessing key performance attributes.
- Working across the V-model to plan and support verification activities, including specifying and supporting trials, evidence collection, and product documentation.
- Working across domains and project areas within MBDA, with internal and external equipment and technology suppliers to deliver concept definitions, technology demonstrations, and showcase ground breaking future capabilities.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What we're looking for
Systems Engineering experience in any of the following will be beneficial:
- System functional architecture definition, requirement development and management.
- Use of Systems Engineering tools including DOORS, DOORS Next, Rhapsody.
- Conducting trade studies, investigating conflicts in requirements and designs, and identifying credible options.
- Working independently on technically complicated problems or within a small team, delivering at a significant pace.
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.
Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location