Overview

Guidance, Control and Navigation Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026. The algorithms we design in Guidance, Control and Navigation (GCN) lie at the heart of MBDA missile and weapon systems. We're involved in every phase of the product's life cycle, from concept through to service.

Salary: £31,500 plus a £3,000 joining bonus

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 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. After offer, all successful candidates will undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

Closing date: Midnight on 3 November 2025

What We Can Offer You

• 2 year Programme: starting September 2026
• Salary reviews throughout Programme
• 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
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus option to purchase extra holiday
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Excellent career progression and development opportunities
• Facilities: site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and more

The Opportunity

We host 4 areas of expertise:

• Guidance - figuring out a suitable trajectory, providing an effective route to target interception and improving the probability of defeating the target
• Control - designing and tuning autopilot algorithms for various control surfaces to maintain stable flight dynamics and achieve the guidance demands
• Navigation - estimating the current missile state (position, velocity and altitude/orientation) using measurements from a range of on-board sensors
• Command and Control (C2) - designing weapon-system level algorithms to track and evaluate incoming threats, plan engagements, and provide additional mission context to the operator

You'll join a supportive and experienced team of engineers who will help you develop skills including coding and modelling, mathematics, flight dynamics and control theory, utilising tools such as MATLAB/SIMULINK daily. Work alongside other departments to increase your knowledge on the complexities of a missile, including propulsion, aerodynamics, seekers, sensors and actuators. Broaden your technical knowledge of the design and function of a complex weapon system, with opportunities from research and development of futuristic technologies to contributing to current high-profile projects. You may have visibility to MBDA’s international teams (GCN in Paris and Rome) with potential but not guaranteed travel opportunities.

Get involved with:

• Integrated navigation, such as Terrain Reference Navigation, GPS integration, and Image Based Navigation
• Autopilot and control system design and analysis, including dual-mode control, thrust vector control, etc.
• Algorithms for mid-course guidance, terminal guidance, target tracking and selectivity
• Data fusion to combine data from multiple sensors (radars, seekers, IMUs, etc.)
• Implementing AI techniques including neural networks and deep learning to improve traditional GCN algorithms and solve new challenges
• Designing autonomous decision-making systems for use in complex collective missions

What we’re looking for from you

Degree qualified in Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering or Computing discipline to a minimum of 2:2

About MBDA and inclusivity

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 towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We support employee-led networks including Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more. We recognise everyone is unique and we encourage you to speak to us for advice, support or adjustments during the recruitment process. Follow MBDA on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Entry level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing

Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom