Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer - Graduate Programme 2025

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer – Graduate Programme 2025

Salary: £31,000 plus a £3000 joining bonus.

Location: Bristol

Working pattern:

The majority of your work will be conducted on site; a positive result of which is that our site remains a social and collaborative working environment. Nevertheless, there can be opportunities for home working depending on the nature of the task. 

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 Thursday 19th December

The opportunity:

The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) department is like no other within MBDA! It is split between a test team working hands on in our state of the art EMC Facility to simulate environments and also a highly skilled consultancy team that is embedded across all projects within MBDA to ensure good EMC practice & design.

So what is EMC? EMC addresses the unintentional generation, propagation and reception of electromagnetic energy that may cause undesirable effects in equipment. We also cover the effects of external environments such as lightning strikes, electrostatic discharge and RF transmitters.

In EMC, we evaluate every products' performance from start to finish throughout its entire life cycle. The systems team support projects to ensure the correct requirements are implemented, that designs are robust and the strategy is correct.

The test team then perform standardised tests based on these requirements, focused around the products intended electromagnetic environment. Testing is carried out at the EMC laboratories in Bristol.

You will start with hands-on testing of MBDA's missiles, subsystems and equipment in the accredited EMC Test Facility using our 3 anechoic and 2 reverberation chambers. This will help build your core EMC knowledge, gaining an understanding of what each test is designed to uncover and learning to work to British and NATO standards, the standards to which we must comply. Much of the initial training will involve working across project hardware with our EMC engineers so that you can eventually progress towards conducting tests independently.

Depending on your personal preference, you can then work within the systems team to understand the complexities of producing EMC requirements, aiding in design development and engaging with customers internal & externally.

This role will allow you to be involved within this technically challenging area of MBDA, giving you the opportunity to finish the graduate scheme by going into a technically focused role within the EMC Test Facility or by working within the consultancy systems role (depending on preference).

Throughout the scheme, you may also be undertaking other development work at the time of your placements. These have previously ranged from microcontroller electronics development, mechanical constructions, software development to aid EMC testing and OPSENS technology advancement.

During your time on the Programme, you will:

• Work in a technically challenging function.

• Work amongst experienced test and systems EMC engineers.

• Benefit from specific formal and informal training that will aid your personal development.

• Gain hands-on experience with real hardware.

• Work on a range of products across all MBDA projects, which could include missiles and weapon systems.

• Potentially travel, to support EMC activities external to MBDA (integration support, other facilities).

What we're we looking for from you:

• Degree qualified in an EMC / Electrical / Electronic Engineering, Applied Physics or a related discipline (minimum 2.2)

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.

What we can offer you:

• 2 year programme starting September 2025

• Company bonus and twice yearly salary reviews

• Pension of maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%

• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave

• Fantastic site facilities, including subsidised meals and free car parking

• Excellent career progression and development opportunities

• Flexible working

We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential.  MBDA is proud of our employee-led networks including Gender Equality, Pride, Neurodiversity, Ethnic Diversity, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers and Armed Forces.

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.

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