Space Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Job Description:

Start date: 31st August 2027

Location: Airbus Defence & Space Stevenage

Duration: 5 years

University: University of Portsmouth

Degree: BEng (Hons) Space Systems Engineering

Application closing date: Applications will be open until 26 October 2026. After this date, the advert will close once sufficient applications are received. Early submission is recommended.

We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for. However, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

Benefits:

Salary:£23,000

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:

An opportunity to join the satellite integration and test team as an Electrical Engineer working on exciting missions for the European Space Agency (ESA) and National space programmes. We build, test and launch spacecraft, providing you with an exciting opportunity for hands-on electrical engineering, scripting and test solution design. Also included are travel opportunities to environmental test facilities and launch sites. 

We built the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover and launched Solar Orbiter from Florida; a spacecraft of ten instruments that is now travelling out to orbit the sun and will provide valuable data to the world’s scientists. Most recently we built, tested, and launched from French Guiana the Biomass spacecraft; this spacecraft included a novel P-band synthetic aperture radar, used to deliver crucial information about the state of the world’s forests and how they are changing. We are currently testing the Forum spacecraft for ESA and working on a couple of national space projects.

We are a community of around 20 engineers who are all passionate about finding technical electrical and functional test solutions and supporting the design of the associated test infrastructure. Our engineering community will help you develop technically and personally in your career at Airbus. Our engineering community is friendly and supportive; an important quality when we travel on test campaigns for reasonable periods of time. If you like the idea of working in a friendly engineering community, are willing to be technically challenged and with travel included; this is for you.

What you will be doing:

As a Degree Apprentice, you will gain experience of all the spacecraft subsystems and will get a good overview of the Satellite Assembly Integration and Test department. You will be supporting both UK National and ESA missions such as the earth observation spacecraft, Forum or the Vigil space weather satellite!

The tasks will be varied and require you to use different skills such as performing electrical measurements, writing and debugging scripts, investigating anomalies, developing new test solutions, preparing presentations, and collaborating with the wider Airbus engineering community.

You will aspire to lead and support activities within the Satellite Electrical Engineering department such as spacecraft subsystem integration, functional and system testing, anomaly investigations, and initial test result analysis; as well as environmental testing and supporting spacecraft interface checks at the launch site.

You will work in a collaborative team environment, both locally and with transnational colleagues, focused on developing innovative test solutions and driving future innovation. We will support you to be in the driving seat of your development within Airbus.

We are a diverse and inclusive team and value different ways of thinking and working to get a technical solution. 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.

Requirements:

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

• 96 UCAS points made up of A Levels or other relevant Level 3 qualifications (subject to validation) in a Science and Engineering field

AND

• 5 GCSEs graded C/4 or above which must include English Language, Maths, and a Science subject

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• High level of practical `hands-on’ application of engineering;
• Good knowledge of programming and scripting, ideally in a variety of languages (C, Java, bash scripting etc.);
• A desire to understand how something works and devise innovative solutions to test it;
• Positive and proactive with a `can do’ attitude and a good team player;
• You are able to produce clear and accurate documentation and reporting;
• The ability to listen, understand and communicate information;
• The desire to work in a technical team environment;
• A strong interest in developing yourself;
• Interest in finding creative solutions to complex problems;
• Able to make decisions based on evidence;
• The desire to work in an open and trusting environment;
• Willing to work flexibly and support occasional shift working;
• Submit your CV stating your grades and if they are predicted or achieved;
• Submit a Cover Letter highlighting your passion and suitability for this apprenticeship.

BOOST YOUR APPLICATION:

We want to get to know you—not just your grades or school background so, tell us on your cover letter:

• Why Airbus and this apprenticeship?
  What is it about Airbus that makes you excited to start a career with us? What is it about our company, our values, or the future of aerospace that excites you? We want to hear about what motivates you to pursue this unique path and how you see yourself growing with us.
  
• What skills and experience do you bring?
  Think about projects, hobbies, or academic subjects that have given you practical experience. This could include personal projects, academic work and extracurricular activities. 

Important Information:

This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint-Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.

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: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK: Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom for the full duration of the programme. For more information, please check the Government Website.

LEVY FUNDING: Successful candidates must be eligible for the levy funding. 

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

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus Use of AI Guidance.

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 [email protected]​. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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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.

Company:

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type:

Apprenticeship

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Experience Level:

Student

Job Family:

Support to Management

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 [email protected].

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.