Radio Frequency Systems Engineer - Summer Placement 2027
// Role Summary
Join MBDA as a Radio Frequency Systems Engineer on a 10-week summer placement in 2027, contributing to world-leading missile data link and survivability capabilities. This role offers hands-on experience across the full product lifecycle, from R&D to production.
// Key Responsibilities
- 10-week paid summer placement starting June 2027.
- Contribute to critical missile data link and RF survivability systems.
- Gain experience across the full product lifecycle: R&D, concept, design, test, and production.
- Opportunity to secure a graduate role for high performers.
- Work on diverse technical challenges including waveform design, electronic warfare, and digital signal processing.
// Role Specification
MBDA is expanding its world-leading missile data link and survivability capabilities. We are offering exciting opportunities within our Data Link Systems & Radio Frequency Survivability organisation, covering research & development, concept phase, and full product design and production programmes.
The Opportunity
The Data Link Systems & Radio Frequency Survivability department is responsible for the performance of RF communications links between missiles and their platforms, as well as the survivability of missiles during missions. Robust communication and survivability using RF techniques are vital to MBDA's customers, playing a key part in ensuring mission success.
As a Radio Frequency Systems Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of products, each presenting different technical challenges. We cover the whole product life cycle, from Research and Development in communication technologies, system concepting and design, through to product test and verification where our communications systems are proven to work reliably in the most demanding of environments.
You'll have the opportunity to be involved in a broad range of technical work, including:
- Requirements engineering
- System design
- Performance modelling
- Product testing & proving
- Researching novel techniques for next generation communication systems
- Electronic warfare
- Missile survivability through stealth and electromagnetic modelling
- Digital signal processing
- Waveform design
- Message protocols using the OSI model
- Software defined radio
You'll be part of a team of committed and collaborative individuals, where strong relationships are key to our work. Our approachable team are on hand to offer support to help you get the most out of your role.
What we can offer you
- 10 week placement: Starting June 2027, applying your university learning to real-world projects and technologies. Perform well, and you could secure a graduate role before your final year.
- Salary: £24,460 (pro-rata)
- Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification.
- Overtime: Opportunity for paid overtime.
- Annual Leave: 5 days.
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more.
Security & Application Information
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 Monday 4th January 2027, but may close earlier depending on application volumes.