Electro-Optic Seekers & Systems Engineer - Summer Placement 2026

Mbda Systems; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization is offering a Summer Placement for an Electro-Optic Seekers & Systems Engineer in Stevenage. Candidates will work on designing and assessing electro-optic systems while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. The role is ideal for students pursuing degrees in Physics, Engineering, or Applied Sciences. The placement offers a hybrid working model, allowing for 2-3 days a week onsite, and a salary of £23,495 pro-rated.

Qualifications

• Candidates should be working towards a relevant degree.
• Interest in applying knowledge to electro-optic technologies.
• A desire to collaborate with teams and innovate.

Responsibilities

• Engage in systems design and computational modelling.
• Assist with product lifecycle assessment of EO technologies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Interest in electro-optic systems

Team collaboration

Computational modelling

Education

Pursuing a degree in Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Computing or Applied Science

Job description

Overview

Electro-Optic Seekers & Systems Engineer - Summer Placement 2026

Would you like to utilise your degree to push the cutting edge of sensing and imaging technology? This opportunity within the Electro-Optics Seekers and Sensors department at MBDA will allow you to innovate within a supportive team, at a company that invests in its people and supports our Armed Forces.

Location: Stevenage

Salary: £23,495 pro-rated

Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 2-3 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.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 5TH JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

The Opportunity

Our Electro-Optic (EO) Seekers & Sensors department provides expertise and support into all projects within MBDA involving EO technologies, as well as investing in research and development of innovative technologies which will shape the future of our products. We work on projects that cover the whole product lifecycle from concept and assessment through to full product design, testing and production. This role presents an exciting opportunity to experience all of these areas through a range of systems design, computational modelling, lab testing and field trials within a diverse team of engineers.

Some of the EO technologies we specialise in include:

• Infra-Red (IR) Seekers & Sensors
• Optics
• Computational Imaging
• Lasers & Directed Energy Weapons

Across the department we have a variety of different teams to get involved in, who work together to deliver our overall functional capability. We all interact regularly through team meetings, events and socials to continue to grow as a department. We also collaborate closely with the technical community across MBDA and the wider defence industry. Within our department you will be able to undertake work with the following teams:

• Systems Engineering – Support major MBDA programmes by designing and certifying EO products
• Technologies - Innovate and develop cutting edge technologies alongside experts in the field
• Modelling and Tools – Generate models for EO systems and use these to predict performance
• Scene Generation – Create synthetic IR imagery for these models to test different scenarios
• Trials – Assess real EO systems through lab testing and field trials

You will have the opportunity to work across all these different areas to discover your passion in engineering and develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your career within EO Seekers & Systems.

Responsibilities

• Engage in systems design, computational modelling, lab testing and field trials within EO Seekers & Sensors teams
• Assist with the development and assessment of EO technologies across the product lifecycle
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver EO solutions

What We're Looking For From You

Working towards a degree in a Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Computing or any Applied Science discipline. We are looking for candidates with an interest in electro-optic systems and technologies, who are keen to apply their knowledge and skills to challenge themselves, the team and our technical capability.

Our Company

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 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.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, including Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Training
• Industries
• Defense and Space Manufacturing

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