Seeker and Datalink Systems Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2027

Location: Stevenage

Salary: £23,000 plus a £3000 joining bonus

Duration: 4 years

Work location: Stevenage

Learning provider: University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

The qualification: You'll study for an Electrical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship. Your final award will be a BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Find more details on the course here: https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/degree-apprenticeships/engineering-degree-apprenticeship-electronics

Due to the need to attend your MBDA site and the training provider as required for your apprenticeship, applicants need to ensure their home or rental location is appropriate, travel arrangements are manageable and travel time is minimised as required for your role.

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 Friday 22nd January 2027 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2027
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• Healthcare Cash Plan: provides support with everyday health related costs – including medical, dental, optical, physio and health & wellbeing
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

Programme structure - your work at MBDA

The academic portion of this apprenticeship consists of predominantly face to face learning one day a week at the University, with some block teaching in each Semester as well as some virtual delivery. The remainder of your working week you'll be onsite in your home function of Seeker and Datalink Systems (S&DS).

The Seeker and Datalink Systems (S&DS) department offers an exciting opportunity to be at the centre of cutting-edge product development at MBDA.

The seeker is the 'eye' of a missile. It is a complicated integrated system which uses either RF radar technology or electro optical (IR) sensors to assist with missile guidance as well as to detect, identify and track targets. The data link system is the communication link of the missile, it typically facilitates communication between the missile and the launching platform, allowing mission critical data to be exchanged.

The S&DS department also includes opportunities within RF survivability; they employ cutting edge RF techniques to enhance the probability of a missile reaching its target. From design, to development, integration and production, the S&DS department's contribution is vital to ensure we can deliver the highest quality products to our customers.

As an S&DS engineer, you'll work innovatively and collaboratively amongst teams of motivated individuals to tackle technical challenges. Your work will be integral in helping to advance the capability of radar and communications technology at MBDA.

You'll have a unique opportunity to apply your degree course content to real world problems, supported by colleagues in varied and inclusive teams. You will undertake various placements, working on different aspects of S&DS design and contributing to projects that span the full product lifecycle.

Placements typically include

Research and development activities

Hardware and Software Integration and Lab testing

Simulation, Modelling and Algorithm development

Systems design and Requirements Specifications

Data Analysis - Applying analytical techniques to draw conclusions from results

The above placements will develop your practical, technical and communication skills within an industrial environment, raising your awareness of the economic, social, legal, ethical and sustainability considerations of the business and engineering.

You will also have the opportunity to work towards Professional Chartership with the IOP, IMA, IET, IMechE or RAeS, and we will pay 100% of the fees whilst you are on the apprenticeship scheme.

The diversity of expertise working together under one roof makes the S&DS department a unique environment for discovering, exploring and specialising in a wide variety of highly technical areas. We are therefore looking for candidates with diverse backgrounds and interests.

We also work closely with many other teams, giving you exposure to other exciting areas across MBDA. With S&DS being an Anglo-Italian department, multi-national projects are common and can lead to exciting travel or secondment opportunities.

This role would be ideal for someone who enjoys

Problem solving

Learning about RF (radio frequency) design fundamentals

Applying university knowledge in a real world environment

Developing future defence concepts

What we’re looking for from you

This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying otherwise your application will not be considered. If you are currently studying and predicted to meet these requirements by the start date you are welcome to apply.

GCSEs

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at minimum grade 4.

This must include

English Language

Mathematics

Any Science or Technology subject

After GCSEs

Following your GCSE's you must have completed one of the following qualification routes, equivalent to a minimum of 120 UCAS Tariff points:

A level: Three A levels totalling 120 UCAS Tariff points, including Maths and either a Technology or Engineering subject, with no individual grade below B

BTEC: A single Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at a minimum grade of DDM, including a distinction in a Further Maths module.

The learning provider is not able to support T level qualifications for this apprenticeship.

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: 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.

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