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Test, Calibration & Maintenance Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2027

MBDA • Bolton, England, United Kingdom

onsitefull-time

Salary: £24,460 / year

Posted Sep 15, 2026Apply by Oct 15, 2026
  • Role & seniority

    • Test, Calibration & Maintenance Engineer – Undergraduate placement (2027)
  • Stack/tools

    • N/A explicitly stated (varied practical exposure across manufacturing test + calibration/maintenance)

    • Technologies mentioned: electronics, mechatronics, optics, RF

    • Work includes technical documentation/drawings and equipment commissioning/calibration/maintenance

    • Security: BPSS checks (requires eligibility)

  • Top 3 responsibilities

    • Support manufacturing testing/programming across the build cycle (e.g., circuit cards to integrated platforms)

    • Perform commissioning, calibration, maintenance, metrology, and respond to faults/breakdowns in test/process equipment

    • Mix shop-floor/lab practical work with office-based documentation/drawings

  • Must-have skills

    • Current undergraduate student (minimum 2.2) in one of: Aerospace Eng, Electrical & Electronic Eng, General Eng/Design, Physics/Astronomy, Product Design, Production & Manufacturing Eng

    • Ability to work across electronic/electrical/mechanical tasks

    • Eligibility for British Citizen / dual UK national and completion of HMG BPSS

  • Nice-to-haves

    • Prior interest/experience with type test equipment commissioning/repair and/or TE calibration (implied by example areas)

    • Interest in specific example manufacturing systems (e.g., seekers & datalinks, missile & actuation, weapons systems)

Full Description

Bolton

Test, Calibration & Maintenance Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2027

A truly varied placement covering different stages of the Manufacturing process!

Salary: £24,460

Dynamic 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. 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.

What we can offer you

1 year placement: Starting September 2027, that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world projects and technologies Perform well on your placement and you could secure a graduate role before your final year

Company bonus: 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

Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…

Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing

The opportunity

This is a great opportunity to experience our Manufacturing facility and learn about two essential parts of the team that work hand in hand; Manufacturing Test and Calibration & Maintenance.

Engineers in Manufacturing Test support the manufacturing, testing and programming of the whole build cycle, from circuit cards through to missiles and the platforms they're integrated onto. Calibration and Maintenance engineers provide a commissioning, calibration, maintenance and metrology service, and respond to faults and breakdowns across test and process equipment. In either of these areas you'll experience working with varied technologies such as electronics, mechatronics, optics and RF and utilise a mix of electronic, electrical and mechanical skills. Daily activities will vary from hands on experience with the product on the shop floor and in the lab, to working in the office on technical documentation and drawings.

We'll work with you to understand which placements would align best with your goals for your year with us, taking into consideration business needs and your degree background. Example placements include

Electronic Engineering – Special to Type Test Equipment commissioning & repair Electrical Calibration – Special to Type Test Equipment & Commercially off the Shelf TE Calibration Circuit Card Assembly Seekers & Datalinks Missile & Actuation Systems Weapons Systems

Each placement covers different stages of the manufacturing process and you'll find yourself among a team of encouraging engineers who have varied experiences and expertise, working together to support a set of equipment.

What we're looking for from you

Current undergraduate studying for a degree in one of the following disciplines, minimum 2.2.

Aerospace Engineering

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

General Engineering & Engineering Design

Physics & Astronomy

Product Design

Production & Manufacturing Engineering

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.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

ElectronicsMechatronicsOpticsRFElectrical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringCalibrationMetrologyTechnical DocumentationTestingProgrammingCommissioningmulti-location

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