Craft Apprenticeship - Structures Test

Airbus S.A.S.; Filton; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

25 days holiday

Half day Fridays

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Airbus is offering a Structures Test Apprentice opportunity at AIRTeC in Filton. In Year 1 you’ll study at Weston College and spend part of the time on-site at Airbus Filton, performing mechanical, electrical and instrumentation tasks while learning calibration and metrology across the test lifecycle.

You will gain real-world experience in a high-tech environment, with opportunities to travel to other Airbus sites and specialise in mechanical testing, data acquisition or advanced calibration as

Qualifications

• Excellent hands-on and workshop skills, using a variety of tools and equipment.
• Be naturally curious and excited to explore; have a passion for learning, teamwork and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Support calibration and metrology activities, ensuring instruments meet regulatory standards.
• Perform calibrations on multimeters, oscilloscopes, pressure gauges and temperature sensors.
• Install and commission data acquisition systems and test instrumentation.
• Travel to other Airbus sites and external suppliers to gain international experience.

Skills

Hands-on skills

Mechanical skills

Electrical skills

Teamworking

Problem solving

Education

GCSEs (Maths/English/others)

Job description

In second and third years, you will be on-site at Airbus Filton. As a Structures Test Apprentice, you will support the delivery of critical test campaigns by working on a wide range of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation tasks. You will learn practical skills and technical knowledge across two key areas: Year 4: Apprentices will be based in their place of work on a full-time basis Core Activities (Common to Both Roles):

• Machining tasks using lathes, mills, and surface grinders to modify or create simple components.
• Mechanical assembly of test specimens, rigs, and hydraulic systems - from small component tests to full aircraft wing evaluations.
• Installation of test instrumentation including sensors, inclinometers, string potentiometers, and high-speed cameras.
• Use of metrology techniques to perform precise physical measurements.
• Cable manufacture and creation of bespoke connectors.
• Installing and commissioning control and data acquisition systems.
• Participating in laboratory-based activities and supporting the test lifecycle from preparation to execution., This position has a strong focus on metrology and calibration activities. You will work closely with our calibration engineers to ensure all measurement and test equipment is functioning accurately and meets regulatory standards. Responsibilities include:
• Performing calibrations on instruments such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, pressure gauges, and temperature sensors.
• Maintaining and updating calibration records and databases.
• Troubleshooting and repairing faulty equipment.
• Developing and optimising software-based calibration procedures.
• Ensuring compliance with quality management systems such as ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025.
• Supporting development of new calibration techniques and procedures.
• Note: Both roles offer opportunities to travel to other Airbus sites (e.g., Hamburg, Toulouse) and external suppliers to provide support and gain international experience.
• Throughout the apprenticeship, you will:
• Gain real-world experience working alongside industry experts in a high-tech environment.
• Build a blend of mechanical and electrical skills relevant to testing, calibration, and instrumentation.
• Develop professionally through structured training, academic learning, and hands-on projects.
• As you progress, you'll have the opportunity to specialise in areas aligned with your interests-whether that's mechanical testing, data acquisition, or advanced calibration and metrology.
• What is it about Airbus that makes you excited to start a career with us? Is it our aircraft, innovation, global impact, or something else? Let us know what interests you about our work and why we stand out to you.
• Why a hands-on apprenticeship?
• Why do you want to learn by doing? We'd love to hear what draws you to practical, skills-based learning.
• Show your hands-on experience.
• In your CV or cover letter, include any hands-on activities or hobbies where you've used practical skills. These could be things like:
  • + DIY projects
  • + Building and fixing things
  • + Doing make-up or beauty work
  • + Tinkering and Tech Projects
  • + Building models
  • + Baking or cooking
  • + Others
• Important Information: GRADES: Any offer will be conditional upon us receiving evidence of your required grades 24h after receiving your certificates on results day, in addition to completing all pre-employment checks and online forms. 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.
• Grade C or 4 in Maths (B or 5 preferred)
• Grade C or 4 in English
• Plus 3 other GCSEs at grade C or 4;
• Other qualifications that are equivalent or higher may be considered an alternative to the additional 3 GCSE's (subject to validation)
• Attach your CV (stating your predicted or achieved grades) and cover letter stating your motivation for the role and industry.
• To be successful you need to:
• Be naturally curious and excited to explore;
• Have excellent hands-on and workshop skills, using a variety of tools and equipment's;
• Be able to manage problems and communicate effectively to resolve them in a fast paced team environment;
• Feel passionate about Aerospace and shaping the sustainable future of the civil aircraft market;
• Have a passion for learning, teamwork and problem solving activities, 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.
• Are you looking for the ideal start to your engineering career with a world-leading aerospace company? Are you passionate about how things work and enjoy hands-on, high-precision tasks? Would you thrive in a dynamic environment where every day brings a new challenge? If so, this could be the opportunity for you!
• This is an exciting opportunity to join Airbus as an apprentice in the Structures Test Team at the Aerospace Integrated Research and Test Centre (AIRTeC) in Filton, Bristol. AIRTeC is a £100 million, state-of-the-art research and testing facility that supports Airbus's advanced aircraft wing design and development. The Structures Test Team is one of three key testing centres within Airbus, responsible for validating the strength and durability of cutting-edge materials and structural components used across all Airbus aircraft programmes, including next-generation, sustainable technologies like hydrogen propulsion, ultra-flexible wings, and blended wing body aircraft..
• What will you be doing: Year 1: During your first year you will spend Semester 1 (September to January) full-time studying at Weston College. In Semester 2 (February to June) you will start to spend 2 days per week onsite at Airbus Filton, with the other days at Weston college.
• 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 [e-mail]. 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.
• Salary:
  • A competitive starting salary of £19,185
  • 35 hours per week
  • Half day Fridays!
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Pension
  • Success share
  • Plus many more flexible benefits!