Advanced Apprentice Manufacturing Support Technician

BAE Systems; Barthomley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense and aerospace company in the United Kingdom is offering an apprenticeship for Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technicians. The role involves supporting manufacturing engineering processes, improving product quality, and managing operational improvements. Qualifications include GCSEs in Maths, English & Science. The apprenticeship offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and access to educational opportunities. Ideal for candidates seeking a structured, long-term career in the engineering field.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Free higher education

Access to company pension

Employee share plans

Discounted health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths, English & Science or Technical (grade A‑C or 9‑4 or equivalent).
• Strong communication skills are essential.
• Excellent organisation skills for task management.

Responsibilities

• Support all aspects of Manufacturing Engineering and resolve production interruptions.
• Plan and design methods to improve efficiency and product quality.
• Manage capital purchases and provide estimated costs for operational improvements.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisation skills

Team working skills

Education

GCSE in Maths, English & Science (grade A‑C or 9‑4)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Support all aspects of Manufacturing Engineering, ensuring processes are carried out within the product and process design parameters, supporting manufacturing schedule adherence, and ensuring interruptions in production are resolved safely with minimal down time
• Support Engineers to identify problems with product performance; recommend solutions and process improvements
• Support Engineers to refine the manufacturing processes to achieve manufacturing goals according to product specification and business priorities
• Plan and design methods to improve efficiency and product quality by utilising Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and working as a member of a cross functional team
• Work to improve equipment availability and capability
• Manage and support capital purchase, engineering proposals, and provide estimated costs to achieve operational improvements and financial benefits
• Carry out factory acceptance and installed article tests, carry out trials and commissioning on process equipment, Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance
• Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal
• Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN)
• Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals
• Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles
• Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems
• Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders
• Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact
• Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications
• Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents
• Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists
• Follow standard operating procedures
• Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery
• Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests
• Apply continuous improvement techniques
• Apply team working principles
• Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies
• Carry out and record learning and development activities
• Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures
• Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance
• Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal
• Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN)
• Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals
• Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles
• Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems
• Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders
• Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact
• Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications
• Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents
• Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists
• Follow standard operating procedures
• Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery
• Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests
• Apply continuous improvement techniques
• Apply team working principles
• Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies
• Carry out and record learning and development activities
• Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths, English & Science or Technical (grade A‑C or 9‑4 (or equivalent))
• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Team working skills
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Benefits

Competitive wage offered. Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab). We offer a competitive salary with annual increases throughout the apprenticeship and a range of employee benefits including free higher education as well as access to the Company pension and share saving scheme.

Job Details

Training course: Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

Hours: Shifts to be confirmed. 37 hours a week

Start date: Monday 7 September 2026

Duration: 4 years

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing & lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts.