Graduate Programmes
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Graduate Programmes Overview

Our graduate programmes are a great opportunity for you to discover a career in national security. Most programmes take place over two years, where you’ll complete 4 x 6-month placements: 3 in your specialist area and 1 elsewhere in the business. Our finance programme runs over three years to give you an in-depth insight on how we operate.

You’ll be supported to challenge yourself, to ask questions and to build a valuable network. Our rotational placements enable you to grow and get real hands-on experience. We’ll also provide you with everything you need to reach your potential, including career advice, bespoke training and even the chance to earn professional qualifications. 

Starting in September, our graduate programmes have a starting salary of £30,000 plus a £3,000 joining bonus (which is paid in your first months salary). With access to a range of other benefits on top of this, there's no better way to start your career.

We are currently closed for applications for our graduate programme whilst we prepare for our 2024 intake to join us - if you wish to be notified when we open for applications for our September 2025 intake, follow this link to share your details with us.

Training and Development

Inductions

When you first start at MBDA, you’ll have a pre-joining virtual event, where you can meet the team. On day one of your programme you'll be onsite for a full day induction, you’ll then have a further two days of induction to make sure you’re set up with all you need to know! Later in the year, you’ll have another two-day event with the chance to network with key stakeholders across your site.

Health and Safety training

All you need to know to keep you safe and well in work.

Technical Foundation Course (for those in Technical roles/depts.)

As part of this course, you’ll be introduced to the processes and technology we use to design, develop and manufacture missile systems.  

Year 1 - Nationally run one week course where various functions describe how their department contributes to the build of a missile system.  

Year 2 - International course either in London or Paris with a focus on group project work and how the business operates makes profit. 
 

Generation Healthy Minds Masterclass Series and Boost Sessions

Run with our partners at Gen H Minds, these sessions will ensure you have the tools and strategies to support your mental and physical health. In your first year, you’ll have the opportunity to attend two face-to-face Healthy Minds Masterclasses as well as strategic virtual Booster Sessions. 

Career Development Workshop

This workshop is designed to help you take ownership of your career and design a path suited to you. It will help you to understand the Company Talent Strategy, as well as know how your personality type, career drivers and priorities might influence the path you take. We help you plan your personal development pathways at MBDA, so you know who to speak to and how to influence conversations about your future. You’ll have the chance to practice and refine your interview techniques and ask questions of a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Graduate Development Workshops- N-DEV-R

Run with our Partners The Dove Nest Group, a full development workshop series spanning a virtual briefing, followed by a five-day residential, two virtual follow up sessions and your Charity Presentation session.  A great chance to get to know yourself and your Graduate colleagues better.

STEM & Outreach

There are plenty of activities you can get involved in, such as events like Robot Rumble, careers fairs and school/university talks. These will aid your personal development, such as communication, mentoring and presentation skills as well as help to inspire future generations to consider a career in Engineering.

Benefits & Rewards

Annual Bonus

Annual Bonus

Every year in February, we reward our dedicated employees with an annual bonus. Exact amounts and percentages will vary by job grade and on business performance. This can be discussed/explained further with a member of the Resourcing team during your application process. 

We are proud to say that we were able to award our annual bonus to employees even through tough economic times in recent years, when other employers were less fortunate. 

 

25 Days Annual Leave (plus holiday purchase)

25 Days Annual Leave (plus holiday purchase)

Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays.

This increases to 26 days after 10 years of service and 27 days after 30 years. You can enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.

Dynamic Working

Dynamic Working

We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more. 

When applying, please check the job advert for details, then make sure to discuss what to expect with your recruiter. 

Enhanced Parental Leave

Enhanced Parental Leave

We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave.

Our 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.

We also offer 2 weeks enhanced pay for paternity leave, and neonatal care leave for up to 12 weeks where a period of extended hospital care is required after birth. Employees also have access to support whilst undergoing fertility testing and treatments. 

Discounts and Vouchers

Discounts and Vouchers

We offer a choice of two dining and lifestyle cards so you can save money at restaurants, cinema, days out and more as a member. You will have access to hundreds of discounts and rewards on a wide range of retailers, restaurants and entertainment options.

Our rewards portal also offers access to a range of cashback benefits and discounted purchases with partner retailers. 

Gym Memberships

Gym Memberships

Keep fit for less with our on-site gym located at Stevenage, without breaking the bank.

We also offer discounted fees at over 3,500 gyms nationwide, with memberships paid via payroll. 

Pension Scheme

Pension Scheme

Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a 'Defined Contribution' plan in the Mercer Master Trust, administered by Scottish Widows.

The standard contributions are 4% of an employee's base salary and 6% employer contributions. You can increase both employee and employer contributions by up to 2%.

 

Share Incentive Plan

Share Incentive Plan

The Share Incentive Plan (SIP) is available for you to join and reinforces our commitment to long-term share ownership amongst our employees.

Free Financial Advice

Free Financial Advice

We know money matters in life, so we want to make sure our employees are both paid what they deserve, and also have access to resources that can help them plan for the future.

Through selected partnerships, we offer a range of free seminars, held throughout the year, to help you make good financial decisions for now and the future.

Extracurricular Learning Budget

Extracurricular Learning Budget

You can receive up to £150 towards the cost of approved courses each year including group language lessons.

Health and Dental Insurance

Health and Dental Insurance

Cover you and your family with the option to select our six levels of dental cover. You can choose to visit NHS or private dentists and the cost is deducted through payroll. 

We've teamed up with AXA PPP to offer a selection of private healthcare plans, deductible from your net pay, for you and your family. 

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Assistance Programme

Our employees' wellbeing is our priority. That's why everyone at MBDA UK can access free, confidential advice on a range of financial, personal and workplace issues, available 24/7.

Application Process

1. Submit an application

Our application form contains a few factual questions, some questions relating to the role you have applied for and a section for you to tell us all about you! 

2. Online assessment - Part One

Next in our process is part one of our online strengths assessment, completely tailored to our business and early careers schemes. After completing our assessment you'll receive a personalised report. 

3. Online assessment - Part Two

Part two of our online assessments include three video recorded tasks which are authentic work scenario based activities which you could be doing on your programme - we refer to these as job simulations.

4. Internal review

Hiring managers and members of the recruitment team assess your application and assessment results and if successful, you'll be shortlisted for our assessment centres.

5. Assessment centre

Our strength based assessment centre is a half day virtual experience! You’ll get to work on a range of tasks, meet current programme members and people from the department you have applied for. All candidates receive feedback on their performance. 

5. Offer

We’ll call you within a week of your assessment day to talk through your feedback and the finer details of your offer, as well as next steps.

MBDA People

Gain an insight into how we work and who you could be working alongside.

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