Apprentice - Licensed Aircraft Engineer Gatwick

British Airways PLC; Gatwick; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uniform from year one

Discounted flights

Annual leave entitlement

Access to apprentice network

Community involvement opportunities

Job summary

British Airways PLC is offering a Licensed Aircraft Engineer Apprenticeship at Gatwick. The programme combines college learning with hands-on shopfloor experience across BAEW, BAEG and BAMG pathways, aligned to CAA Part-66 licensing requirements.

Starting September 2027, the role progresses through years 5–7+ toward a B licence and Type Approval. You’ll develop specialist engineering skills while supporting safety, teamwork and operational excellence in a global airline environment.

Qualifications

• GCSE English (A*-C / 9-4) or Scottish National 5
• A Level Mathematics (England and Wales) or Higher Mathematics (Scotland)
• A Level Physics, Engineering or Chemistry (England and Wales) or Higher Physics or Engineering Science (Scotland)
• Equivalent Level 3 qualification in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering
• International equivalent accepted
• Right to live and work in the UK

Responsibilities

• Follow a four-year apprenticeship pathway with shifts and classroom learning.
• Gain hands-on experience in hangars and maintenance facilities.
• Work towards B licence and Type Approval through progressive licensing.
• Support deployment of new technology within a fast-paced operation.

Education

GCSE English (A*-C / 9-4) or Scottish National 5

A Level Mathematics (England and Wales) or Higher Mathematics (Scotland)

A Level Physics, Engineering or Chemistry (England and Wales) or Higher Physics or Engineering Science (Scotland)

Level 3 qualification in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering

International equivalent accepted

Right to live and work in the UK

Job description

Licensed Aircraft Engineer Apprenticeship

• Programme: Licensed Aircraft Engineer Apprenticeship
• Pathway: Four-year apprenticeship, followed by Type Authorisation development in years 5-7+.
• Locations: Gatwick
• Salary: £17,339
• Applications close: 19 th November 2026
• Programme starts: September 2027

About the programme

Every day is different in Aircraft Maintenance. One shift you could be carrying out complex maintenance on a long-haul aircraft preparing for its next international journey, and the next you could be troubleshooting a technical issue alongside experienced engineers to help keep our operation running safely and reliably.

As a British Airways Engineering apprentice, you will work on world-class aircraft in a fast-paced operational environment where safety, teamwork and technical excellence are at the heart of everything we do. From your first days on the programme, you'll gain hands‑on experience in hangars and maintenance facilities, learning from skilled engineers who will support your development as you build the knowledge and practical experience needed to become a future licensed aircraft engineer.

You’ll be part of a team that plays a critical role in connecting millions of customers with destinations across the globe. Whether supporting overnight maintenance, major aircraft checks or the introduction of new technology, you’ll see first‑hand how your work helps keep our fleet flying and our customers moving.

This is more than an apprenticeship. It's the start of a career where you can develop specialist engineering skills, work on some of the most advanced aircraft in the world and build a future with one of the world's most recognised airlines.

At BAEW, BAEG and BAMG, we are building one consistent, cross‑site apprenticeship pathway to develop the next generation of licensed aircraft engineers. Whichever site you join, you will follow the same core programme, aligned to CAA Part‑66 licensing requirements, with a structured route through the apprenticeship and onward development towards a B licence and Type Approval.

The formal apprenticeship runs for four years. During this time, you will combine college or classroom learning with practical shopfloor experience, build your engineering knowledge and complete recognised technical and vocational qualifications. Subject to successful completion and continued progression, years 5,6 and 7+ focus on completing the licensing and aircraft type approval pathway.

Your development pathway

• Year 1: Full-time college learning, supported by an introduction to the shopfloor.
• Years 2-3: A combination of day release and practical on-site experience.
• Years 4: Further workplace development, building the skills and experience needed to complete the apprenticeship.
• Years 5-7+: Continued development towards a B license and aircraft Type Approval.

Working patterns

• Year 1: Monday to Friday, 7.5 hours per day.
• Years 2 to 7+: shopfloor placements are based on a 4-on / 4-off pattern at 10.7 hours per day.
• Working arrangements may vary during college, classroom, type-course or other formal learning periods.

About you

You will be dedicated to building a long-term career in aircraft engineering and committed to pushing yourself to achieve high standards and strive for excellence. You will bring energy, curiosity and a genuine desire to learn, taking ownership of your development and making the most of every opportunity offered through the programme. You will be safety-conscious, dependable and comfortable working in a practical, operational environment where quality, attention to detail and teamwork are essential. You will also be willing to receive feedback, learn from challenges and continuously improve as you develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to become a successful licensed aircraft engineer.

Entry requirements

• GCSE English (A*-C / 9-4), Scottish National 5
• A Level Mathematics (England and Wales) or Higher Mathematics (Scotland); and
• A Level Physics, Engineering or Chemistry (England and Wales) or Higher Physics or Engineering Science (Scotland); or
• An equivalent Level 3 qualification, for example a Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical or Mechanical Engineering, or a Scottish National Certificate in Engineering.
• International equivalent will be accepted
• Right to live and work in the UK.
• Ability to meet the attendance and working-pattern requirements of the programme.

What is in it for you?

• A structured, cross-site pathway from apprenticeship entry through to licensed and type-approved aircraft engineering development.
• Hands‑on experience with experienced aircraft maintenance teams and exposure to operational engineering environments.
• Salary progression after successful completion of the first year, subject to meeting development objectives.
• Uniform from year one, helping you feel part of the British Airways engineering community from day one.
• Access to the wider British Airways apprentice network, including opportunities to learn from current and former apprentices.
• Opportunities to support community investment, fundraising, volunteering and outreach activity.
• Access to British Airways employee benefits, including heavily discounted flights and annual leave entitlement.

Our sites

This apprenticeship will operate through one common framework across BAEW, BAEG and BAMG. Your employing site and primary work location will be confirmed in the vacancy you apply for. College or training-provider arrangements may differ by location, while the core pathway, expected standards and progression milestones remain aligned across all three businesses.

Application process

• Complete every section of your application and all required online assessments by the published deadline.
• If successful at the initial application stage, you may be invited to complete a video interview within a specified timeframe.
• Successful candidates may then be invited to further online testing and an assessment centre.
• Applications or assessments submitted after the stated deadline may be withdrawn from the process.
• Candidates can only apply for one apprenticeship across Wales, Gatwick and Glasgow.

Recruitment Process and Timelines

• Step 2 - Once you have completed the activities on our Discover & Prep hub, you can begin your application.
• Step 3 - Once your application has been submitted, you will be invited to complete some online assessments.
• Step 4 - Successful candidates will then be invited to complete a Video Interview to assess your motivation and fit for the role. You will be invited to this stage in November.
• Step 5 - If you reach the final stage, you will be invited to Waterside for an Assessment Centre. This is due to be in January/February 2027.

Inclusion and belonging

At British Airways, we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is important to us, and we recognise that every colleague brings their own experience, creativity and identity to work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.