Mechanical and Climatic Engineer - Graduate Programme 2026
£46,800
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2122 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 57% sure that is the right code. MBDA UK Limited is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
This could also be SOC 2126 (Aerospace engineers). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2122 Mechanical engineers Most likely code | £33,400 Misses | £37,400 Misses | £42,100 Misses | £46,800 Misses |
2126 Aerospace engineers Also possible | £36,700 Misses | £41,900 Misses | £47,200 Misses | £52,400 Misses |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Mechanical and Climatic Engineer - Graduate Programme 2027
Mechanical and Climatic Engineers are at the forefront of ensuring MBDA products survive and operate as required throughout customer in-service use. In our team you will be involved in specifying instrumentation / acquisition systems for data gathering trials, and conduct trials at external sites in close proximity to customer platforms, as well as testing, modelling and analysing data to prove our product complies with the requirements we set. This role is challenging, dynamic and works across the full range of MBDA products with a supportive team.
Salary: £31,900 plus a £3000 joining bonus
Dynamic (Hybrid) Working: 3 or 4 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 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.
What we can offer you:
2 year Programme: Starting September 2027
Annual Salary Review
Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (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
Excellent career progression and development opportunities
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 and more.
The Opportunity:
As a Mechanical and Climatic Engineer in Environmental Engineering & Facilities (EE&F) you'll experience a wide variety of challenging technical projects including hands on work where you get a chance to influence real world engineering decisions, strategies, and designs.
The scheme is split into four six month placements, with three in, and one external to, EE&F. Within EE&F, you’ll experience all three of our domains with positions in the Test, Trials and Analysis Team, and Projects Teams. You’ll work on a range of products at different stages of the development cycle, as well as in service support.
Each EE&F domain will enable you to gain experience and develop your technical and core skills whilst collaborating with partners from across, and external to, MBDA. With mentoring, you will be given responsibility for delivering tasks of real substance from the beginning of the programme, with the plan that through the programme you’ll become an independent and trusted engineer.
You’ll operate in a challenging and technically exciting working environment, surrounded by a great support network within the department, experienced in managing early careers. Regular feedback, reviews and support will aim to accelerate your personal development, with a focus on formal training.
In addition, you have the opportunity to work towards Chartership through MBDA’s Engineering Council accredited schemes.
Through the Programme you will:
Learn how a weapon system is developed through risk reduction, design assessment and qualification testing for customer acceptance and in service use.
Work on a range of projects at different stages of the product development cycle, as well as in service support.
Gain hands on experience by understanding, preparing, and conducting environmental and structural test requirements in our UKAS accredited laboratory.
Learn how to measure, process and analyse a variety of data from flight and firing trials, or from laboratory tests.
Be involved with preparing and conducting off-site data gathering trials.
What we’re looking for from you:
Degree qualified in an Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production and Manufacturing Engineering, Maths or Physics discipline to a minimum of 2.2.
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.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with MBDA UK Limited, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Mechanical engineers (SOC 2122) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~66k in sample- Middle half £38,896–59,800
- Median £48,516
- Going rate £46,800
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–42,100
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at MBDA UK LimitedAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. MBDA UK Limited holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2122 going rate of £46,800. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.