Manufacturing Engineering Higher Technical Apprenticeship

Job Description:

Start Date: September 2025 

Location: Airbus Defence & Space Portsmouth

Duration: 3 years 

College: Havant and Southdowns College

Degree: HNC & HND in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Application closing date: We encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out on this opportunity! Please note we will close adverts as soon as we receive sufficient applications.

Benefits:

Salary: 18,000

37 hours per week // Half day Fridays!* // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits! 

*subject to completing full hours prior to this 

About Us: 

Did you know that in the middle of Portsmouth, there are facilities that design, assemble, integrate satellites? If that isn&39;t enough to get you to apply immediately, here is some more information;

• We are part of Airbus Defence and Space, the largest space company in Europe and an integral part of the expanding UK space sector!

• We design and manufacture advanced satellites to deliver solutions on the ground from climate change monitoring to global communications. 

• Airbus designs and manufactures approximately 25 of the world’s telecommunications satellites to ensure people stay connected. At Airbus Portsmouth, we make the heart of the satellites - the payloads including our world leading digital processed payloads.

• Geostationary telecommunication satellites can weigh up to 6 tonnes, and are used for everything from direct to home TV broadcasting to business to business communications as well as providing satellite communications on the move for armed forces personnel. All national satellite TV broadcasts across the UK are from  satellites built by Airbus.

See https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/space/space-technology-made-in-uk for more details. 

What you will be doing:

Our Level 4 Apprenticeship:

Being a Higher Technical Apprentice at Airbus means you will get to develop both mechanical and electrical skills within our programme. You will be immersed in a stimulating design and manufacturing environment. 

What will you study?

You will study towards an HNC in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering with the possibility of attaining an HND should you be eligible. You will also attain a level 4 standard, which will run alongside the HNC course, gaining both academic knowledge and practical experience on this apprenticeship.

What will you do?

We have an apprenticeship where you can (amongst other things)…

• See and understand how a satellite is built,

• Work on a satellite in one of our cleanrooms 

• Run vibration, shock, thermal and EMC tests

• Support the design of the payloads integration 

• Help the manufacturing teams assemble and test electronic hardware

The apprenticeship programme is 3 years, broken down into two core phases;

Year 1:

• 60 Studying at Havant and Southdowns College (Southdowns Campus)

• 40 on Site, in our Early Careers Centre

Year 2 & 3: 

• 20  Studying at Havant and Southdowns College (Southdowns Campus)

• 80 On site, on rotations around different areas within the business. 

We have a broad range of engineering disciplines on site, which can provide you with an equally broad range of experiences during the rotation phase. 

You will be part of an apprenticeship cohort during the programme. You will work closely together to succeed during your learning, projects and events at work or at college, and extra curricular events such as the Outward Bound week.

Post Apprenticeship Opportunities

Over 95 of all apprentices who successfully complete the programme move into permanent roles within the business. 

Many apprentices go onto further education, supported by the business. 

Airbus is a multinational business, supported by businesses, suppliers and customers around the world. Many roles will require travel. 

Requirements:

In order to be eligible to this apprenticeship, you must achieve a minimum of:

• 5 GCSEs at C or above including a Grade 5/6 (B) in Maths and English Language or equivalent qualifications subject to validation

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Have a passion for engineering, which you will be able to demonstrate through your educational choices or hobbies. For example, you may have been part of an engineering club at school or perhaps you enjoy fixing mechanical and electrical things in your spare time

• Submit your CV stating your grades and if they are predicted or achieved 

• Submit a Cover Letter stating your motivations

Important Information:

GRADES: If you are on predicted grades, your offer will be conditional to achieving the position’s requirements before the apprenticeship start date.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Eligibility to gain UK SC Security Clearance OR You will be subject to a BPSS check (including a criminal record check). 

Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

Contact:

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact via email apprentices&64;airbus.com​. ​ ​Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

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By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom&64;airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.