Software Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 12, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 12, 2026. MBDA UK scores B on the Alion truth index.
We are looking for a highly capable and adaptable Software Engineer to join our team at our Bristol facility to develop solutions for the next generation of Air Defence Systems!
Software Engineer (Command and Control)
Salary: up to circa £65,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: This particular role is mostly office based (due to workload classification), but there are opportunities to work from home
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.
What we can offer you:
- 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
- Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- 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.
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
The opportunity:
This is a very hands-on role and requires the continued design and development of Command and Control architectures and the instantiations for future products. Perfect for a Software Engineer who is proactive and takes the initiative!
You will be working with people and technologies at the forefront of European missile systems design, supporting the development of safe, secure and reliable products that our customers can rely on.
We offer an encouraging working environment with the opportunity to develop your skills across a wide range of products and technologies. Our teams develop software used in the most advanced weapon systems in the world within a critical and influential Software Engineering Directorate; part of a large progressive and adaptable company.
We apply small, focused teams of engineers to complex problems - you will be working with a dedicated group of experienced software, systems and electronics engineers. We maintain an impactful team culture!
What we're looking for from you:
- A strong background in software engineering, its realisation and system wide impact.
- Experience of working in C++
- Experience of working with software architecture models.
- Collaborative, open approach to development and have the ability to work well in a team and maintain momentum during development.
Other skills of interest include:
- Knowledge of Real Time Multi-Threaded Applications
- Experience of working across the entire software development process from engaging with requirement authorities to automated target integration and proving, supported with effective documentation
- Experience of new tools, techniques and approaches that might enable us to evolve our processes to improve our efficiency and sustainability
- Experience in other languages such as Ada
- Knowledge of standards such as DefStan 00-55, DO-178C or IEC61508 and restricted coding standards such as MISRA C++
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 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.