Human Factors Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2025

Human Factors Engineer - Undergraduate Placement 2025

Salary: £20,000 (pro rata)

Location: Bristol or Stevenage

Working pattern:

The team operates a flexible working model allowing you to work at home where it is possible, however the nature of the job will often require you to be onsite to access specific facilities, personnel or data

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:

This placement is an opportunity for you to develop an appreciation for how people interact with sophisticated equipment and systems from a physical, cognitive and physiological perspective. This will involve conducting research tasks and identifying new technologies that will shape the way military personnel use their equipment in the future. There is the potential opportunity to get "hands on" with kit and work with military users. 

As long as you have a passion to learn and are able to use your integrity and intuition to work out the most suitable course of action, on the job training and guidance will be provided to support you in developing within these areas throughout your placement.

Examples of day-to-day activities are provided below:

• Taking a Human Centred Design (HCD) approach to the development of sophisticated systems

• Supporting the planning and conduct of User Experimentation and trials with military users on prototype through to real weapon system equipment and software

• Carrying out individual research tasks, to provide recommendations and solve problems

• Conducting workspace assessments and anthropometric modelling tasks

• Designing and prototyping Human Computer Interface (HCI) / Human Machine Interface (HMI) concepts

• Supporting the development and application of technologies, such as Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence, in future systems

• Writing reports and creating presentations on areas you've been working on

What we're looking for from you:

• Currently studying towards a degree in a Psychology, Engineering, User Centred Design, User Experience Design, Ergonomics/Human Factors, Product Design, Systems Engineering or Cognitive Science discipline.

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:

• 10 month undergraduate placement starting September 2025

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

• A placement that allows you to apply your university learning to real-world engineering projects and technologies

• 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.

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