Our multi-national organisation is made up of around 13,000 employees working across the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the US, and is the first truly integrated European defence company.
As the European champion in our sector, our vision is to continue to grow our presence as a global player. Our mission is to achieve this by establishing ourselves as an industry leader; promoting co-operation and delivering technical and operational excellence to our customer.
Our values are: • Innovation: Ensuring operational and strategic advantage; • Commitment: Always delivering on our promises; • Integrity: A reliable and trusted partner with the highest professional and ethical standards; • Passion: Applying all our energy and focus to every task, recognising our role in providing mission critical capabilities; • Team Spirit: Harnessing our diversity and collective purpose to deliver competitive advantage to all of our stakeholders.
We have a rich heritage of designing and producing missiles and missile systems to meet the whole range of current and future operational requirements for the three armed forces (army, navy, air force). We are proud to be a trusted partner to our armed forces and work with them to deliver a cutting-edge portfolio of products.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
86
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: The best part is the job security and the meaningful work in the aerospace and defense sector. Projects are technically challenging and interesting, contributing to national security. The colleagues are generally very knowledgeable and helpful, making for a strong team dynamic. There are good opportunities for internal training and development.
Cons: Bureaucracy can sometimes slow down decision-making, and the pace can feel less agile compared to smaller tech firms. While core hours are respected, occasional project deadlines can lead to longer days. The pay and benefits are competitive for the industry but might not always match cutting-edge tech companies outside of defense.
Advice to Management: Continue investing in modernizing internal processes and tools to enhance agility. Empowering teams with more autonomy in decision-making could speed up innovation further.
Show more
Pros: The work itself is incredibly engaging, especially as a Software Project Leader in the defense industry; you're truly working on impactful projects from our Bristol, UK hub. I've found a strong culture of continuous learning and professional development here, crucial for staying current in aerospace and defense technology. Teamwork is a significant strength, with skilled colleagues eager to collaborate. Plus, the hybrid work model offers excellent work flexibility, a huge benefit for managing
Cons: One area for improvement is the speed of internal approval processes, which can sometimes slow down project momentum, especially for a Software Project Leader juggling multiple tasks. While management is generally supportive, communication around broader company strategy could be more transparent at times. Also, during peak project phases, the workload can become quite intense, requiring careful prioritization. Sometimes, navigating the sheer size of a multinational defense company means a bit
Advice to Management: Focus on streamlining internal approval processes to maintain project velocity. Enhancing transparency regarding long-term company strategy would also be beneficial for employee alignment.
Show more
Pros: MBDA truly stands out when it comes to pay and benefits. The salary for a Test Equipment Design Engineer is competitive within the defence industry, and the pension scheme is quite generous, which provides a real sense of job security. They also have good health benefits and a decent holiday allowance, contributing significantly to a positive work-life balance. Beyond the compensation, the work itself is engaging, and I've gained valuable experience in production design support and test
Cons: While the benefits are excellent, there can be times when the approval processes for new designs or equipment upgrades feel a bit slow due to the nature of a large defence contractor. This can occasionally impact project timelines for a Test Equipment Design Engineer. Also, career progression for specific niche roles like mine can sometimes feel a little less transparent, requiring proactive navigation rather than a clearly laid out path. It's a minor point, but something to be aware of.
Advice to Management: Continue to invest in employee development and consider streamlining some of the internal approval workflows, especially for production design support projects, to enhance efficiency. A bit more clarity on career pathways for specialized engineering roles would also be beneficial for retaining
Show more
What are the performance expectations for remote employees in MBDA's aerospace and defense sector?
At MBDA, a large defense contractor, remote roles still require clear performance metrics, similar to in-office positions, ensuring project milestones in advanced manufacturing are met effectively.
Does MBDA offer good wellness programs for its employees in the aerospace defense industry?
MBDA provides various wellness initiatives, including mental health support and fitness resources, which I've found really beneficial for work-life balance at this large, international defense company.
What's the interview process like for a project engineer role at MBDA?
For a project engineer position at MBDA, I experienced a multi-stage interview process including a technical interview and a final panel interview, which helped assess my fit for their complex defense projects.
Does MBDA offer overtime pay for engineers in the UK defense industry?
Yes, as an engineer at MBDA, I've found that they do offer overtime pay, which is helpful when working on critical defense projects in their UK facilities, especially given the company's significant size.
What's the dress code like at MBDA, especially concerning the office climate?
MBDA has a business casual dress code, so I usually wear smart trousers and a blouse or shirt, which is comfortable for the office climate. It's relaxed enough for daily wear but still professional for a global defense company.
How long does the offer timeline typically take at MBDA for engineering roles in the UK?
For engineering positions, my offer timeline at MBDA in the UK was quite efficient, taking about 3 weeks from the final interview to receiving the official offer. This included background checks and reference verification.
What is the category management approach like at MBDA, a large defense company?
In my experience at MBDA, a major player in the European defense industry, category management involves rigorous data analysis to support strategic sourcing and decision-making for complex procurement needs.
Does MBDA offer hybrid work options for engineering roles in the UK?
Yes, as an employee at MBDA in the UK, I've found they have a good hybrid schedule, allowing a mix of working from home and office for many engineering positions.
CA
