Mechanical Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
MBDA UK LIMITED
Hertfordshire (SG1 2DA)
Closes on Friday 23 January 2026
Posted on 15 October 2025
Contents
Summary
Mechanical Engineering is involved in all aspects of the product life-cycle; from early development and research, through to in service support. This opportunity will give you the foundations on which to build the expertise required to design, make, and test the next generation of missile system hardware.
- Wage
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£18,750 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
3k Joining Bonus. Annual pay reviews.
- Training course
- Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
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Your contract will require you to work for 37 hours per week Monday - Friday with a flexible working scheme. Exact hours tbc.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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4 years
- Positions available
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6
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
There are three streams on our 4 year Mechanical Degree Apprenticeship that you may join:
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Customer Support Services has overall responsibility for the definition, development and delivery of support and service packages for all MBDA products, with the aim of continually being able to meet the most demanding of our customers' requirements.
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Environmental Engineering & Facilities provide MBDA with the ability to simulate real world mechanical and climatic environments (through vibration, shock, temperature, etc.). Our Environmental Engineers provide expertise throughout the product lifecycle and generate evidence to demonstrate that our products are safe, suitable for service and meet our customer's expectations
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Mechanical Engineering - You'll gain vast experience of a product lifecycle which will provide the foundations on which to build the expertise required to design, make, and test the next generation of missile system hardware
Where you'll work
Six Hills Way
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 2DA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Training course
Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
- Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
- Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
- Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
- Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
- Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
- Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
- Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
- Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
- Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
- Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
- Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
- Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
- Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
- Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.
Training schedule
For this 4 year programme you'll study towards a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering degree at The University of Hertfordshire one day a week, with the remainder of your working week putting in to practice everything you're learning in a real life environment via your placements. Course delivery will be a blend of virtual and face to face learning.
More training information
Our apprentices complete a number of placements, so that by the end of the four-year programme they have gained a broad overview and can best decide where in the function they would prefer to start the next phase in their career.
During the third and fourth year there is the freedom to select placements to suit particular areas of interest and developmental needs, supported by an industrial mentor.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
A Level in:
- Maths (grade C)
- Physics (grade C)
BTEC in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
Other requirements
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.
About this employer
MBDA is the only company capable of designing and producing missile systems to meet the current and future needs of the armed forces over land, sea and air. Through our expertise, we have become a trusted partner to the Ministry of Defence and work closely with the military to ensure that they have the capability they need, in order to protect our freedoms
https://www.mbdacareers.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Flexible working hours, paid overtime, a comprehensive pension scheme, company bonus schemes and superb learning and development opportunities.
After this apprenticeship
Through regular one to ones, development plans and the use of mentors, you will have the opportunity to shape your career within the organisation. We have many senior members in the organisation that started life as an MBDA apprentice.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000346609.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 23 January 2026
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