Software Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2027

Salary: £23,000 plus a £3000 joining bonus

Duration: 4 years

Work location: Stevenage

Learning provider: Cranfield MK:U

Due to the need to attend your MBDA site and the training provider as required for your apprenticeship, applicants need to ensure their home or rental location is appropriate, travel arrangements are manageable and travel time is minimised as required for your role.

The qualification: You'll study for a Digital and Technology Solutions Apprenticeship with a Software Engineer pathway. Your final award will be a BSc (Hons) Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions.

Find more details about the course here: https://www.mku.ac.uk/apprenticeships/details/apprenticeship-digital-and-technology-solutions/

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 Friday 20th November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What we can offer you:

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2027
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• Healthcare Cash Plan: provides support with everyday health related costs – including medical, dental, optical, physio and health & wellbeing
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

Programme structure - your work at MBDA:

The academic portion of this apprenticeship consists of one virtual study day per week with the University. At the start and end of every module you'll be onsite at the university and this is typically 3 days at the beginning of the module and 2 at the end. The remainder of your working week you'll be working in the Software function; depending on the placement you are completing this could be mean you'll need to be onsite at MBDA for the remainder of the week.

The Software teams at MBDA deliver software for the next generation of weapons in an ever evolving environment - to support those on the battlefield.  Our teams provide a range of products from high integrity software running on our weapon systems, to mission planning solutions integrated into a complex battle space arena. You'll be involved in all aspects of the software development lifecycle and we use numerous programming languages, software tools and software lifecycle methodologies to achieve this.

The Software team is part of a wider multinational function. This offers the team a unique opportunity to learn about different technologies and methods from other national teams.

We develop and support a wide range of Software products, such as:

• Mission Planning and Control systems,
• Command, Control and Firing Units
• Real Time components such as Weapons and Missile Control Units.
• Test Systems

We are a strong cohesive team, which is interactive and passionate about software technologies and development. We have an open and encouraging approach to software development and are always seeking to improve the way we work and deliver our products. This provides a great learning environment for the apprentices on our programme.

Working closely with other teams and departments, you will work at various stages in the software development process, covering anything from embedded systems to front end software. This software will be developed on a range of platforms, including Linux and Windows, utilising languages including C, C++ and Java.

In years 1-3, you will undertake 6 x 6 month placements to give you visibility to each of the departments within Software and expose you to different technologies and development methodologies. In your final year, you will take on a 12 month placement in the department of your choosing, which will run alongside your final year project.  

As you progress towards your final year on the scheme, we’ll work with you to understand your skills and career ambitions, so that together we can explore the technical career paths available, once your apprenticeship is complete.

What we’re looking for from you:

This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying otherwise your application will not be considered. If you are currently studying and expect to meet these requirements by the start date you are welcome to apply.

GCSEs:

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at minimum grade 4.

This must include:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Any Science or Technology subject

After GCSEs:

Following your GCSE's you must have completed one of the following qualification routes, equivalent to a minimum of 120 UCAS Tariff points:

• A levels: Three A levels totalling 120 UCAS Tariff points, including A level Mathematics OR Computing/Computer Science, with no individual grade below C.
• T level: T Level in Engineering or Computing with a minimum Merit grade.
• BTEC: A single Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering Maths, Science, IT OR Engineering at a minimum grade of DDM. Those applying with Science, IT or Engineering subject must provide evidence of completing a Further Maths module.

Please note: We look at entry criteria based on your top three full A Levels or equivalent qualifications (BTEC/T Level). We do not include UCAS points gained from an Extended Project Qualification. Additionally, as an employer we set our own entry criteria based on the requirements of this role. This means that the criteria above may differ from the university.

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.

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