GE Aerospace Defence and Systems Edison Engineering Development Programme (2026)

Job Description Summary

Job Description

GE Aerospace Edison 2026 - Cheltenham

Join the Edison Engineering Development Programme and unlock a world of opportunities for early-career engineers. This unique programme offers hands-on experience, across the entire engineering lifecycle, through three technical 8-month rotations. Benefit from exceptional technical training and tackle business-critical assignments that will prepare you to shape the future of flight. Embark on your journey of innovation and professional growth with GE Aerospace.

About GE Aerospace

Are you ready to see your future take flight? At GE Aerospace, we are advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You'll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, you'll share in our pride and purpose that affects the lives of millions around the world!

Engineering

Engineering is at the center of what we do, and we are looking for talented, innovative engineers who can help us design and develop products for today, tomorrow, and in the future. If you are a dreamer, doer, and inventor who wants your voice to be heard and see your ideas take flight, this is the opportunity for you.

Why Choose the Edison Programme?

1. Advanced Skills Development: Enhance your technical, problem-solving, and time management skills through Edison A-Course and B-Course, including weekly technical classes, workshops, formal reports, and presentations.
2. Inclusive and Collaborative Environment: At GE Aerospace, we celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive culture where everyone's contributions are valued. The Edison Programme is a genuinely collaborative environment with a committed team ethos and a highly supportive professional and social community.
3. Global Exposure: Benefit from GE Aerospace's global breadth by working alongside other programme members and project teams across the world. See first-hand how ideas come to life in a world-leading organization.
4. Professional Growth: Develop your engineering competencies towards Professional Registration (IEng and CEng) through the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Participate in the GE Aerospace Foundation Programme, including a residential training week with other GE Aerospace Leadership Programme members.
5. Leadership Opportunities: Meet with and present to influential GE Aerospace leaders. Develop your professional skills, including teamwork, leadership, understanding self/others, emotional intelligence, and communications.
6. Supportive Benefits: Enjoy residential training and development courses to further develop your personal and professional skills. Take part in our STEM Outreach Programme, contributing towards your IEng /CEng competences.

Key Elements of the Programme:

1. Technical Rotations: Experience three technical rotations in Systems, Hardware, Software, System Safety, or Reliability Engineering functions, working on projects driven by real GE Aerospace Defence and Systems business priorities.
2. Professional Development: Participate in the GE Aerospace Foundation Programme and develop your engineering competencies towards Professional Registration (IEng and CEng) through the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
3. Skill Enhancement: Develop advanced technical, problem-solving, and time management skills through Edison A-Course and B-Course, including weekly technical classes, workshops, formal reports, and presentations.
4. Leadership Exposure: Opportunities to meet with and present to influential GE Aerospace leaders.
5. Personal Growth: Residential training and development courses to further develop your personal and professional skills.
6. STEM Outreach: An expectation to take part in our STEM Outreach Programme, developing skills and contributing towards your IEng /CEng competences.

This opportunity is offered at our Cheltenham site.

With over 1,600 employees, GE Aerospace Cheltenham is one of the largest GE Aerospace sites outside the USA and a major contributor to the local economy. Our heritage dates back to 1940 yet our technology is cutting-edge. Located in the heart of Gloucestershire, GE Aerospace Cheltenham focuses on the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for the global aviation industry. Our customers include all major aerospace manufacturers - covering commercial, business jet and military applications. The scale and complexity of engineering projects at GE Aerospace Cheltenham offer our employees unique opportunities to work on major international projects, developing critical aircraft systems that will be relied on by many people for decades to come.

GE Aerospace Cheltenham is actively committed to inclusivity and diversity. We regularly run science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) programmes with local secondary schools, support the Cheltenham Science Festival and support the promotion of women in engineering. At GE Aerospace, we strive to be an employer of choice by offering internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and staff development programmes that create a workplace where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential.

Innovation, a commitment to engineering excellence and leadership development places GE Aerospace Cheltenham as a pioneering force in building the future of flight.

Required Qualifications

1. A minimum 2:1 Accredited Bachelor's, or a Master's, Engineering Degree in one of the following (or similar) subjects:
2. Aerospace Systems Engineering
3. Computer and Electronic Engineering
4. Computer Science
5. Electrical Engineering
6. Electronics & Electrical Engineering
7. Electronics Engineering
8. Mechatronics Engineering
9. Software Engineering
10. Systems Engineering
11. Systems Safety Engineering
12. An Engineering Placement, Internship or Work experience in an Aerospace (or other similarly controlled) environment
13. Experience working in an Engineering Team
14. An analytic, collaborative approach to problem solving
15. Dedication to a career in technology and a real passion for Engineering
16. An understanding of the GE Aerospace Defence and Systems business and our products
17. A strong commitment to Continued Professional Development

Additional Desired Characteristics

1. An Accredited Master's Degree
2. An Engineering Internship with GE Aerospace
3. Existing registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech)
4. A commitment to Personal Development, including membership of a Professional Institution (e.g. the Institution of Engineering and Technology), and desire to work towards Professional Registration as an Incorporated and/or Chartered Engineer
5. A Passion to develop the next generation of Engineers through STEM Outreach

Apply Today

Challenge yourself in an encouraging, harmonious environment while gaining hands-on technical experience with some of the most advanced engineering challenges in the world today. Join the Edison Engineering Development Programme at GE Aerospace and help us shape the future of flight.

Flexible Working

GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.

Total Reward

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs:

1. Performance related bonus
2. Non-contributory Pension
3. Life Assurance
4. Group income protection
5. Private medical cover
6. Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell

Recruitment Process

As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to submit an initial CV application. After this, you may be invited to a video interview. If successful, you may then be invited to the final stage which would be to attend an assessment centre on site. Our recruitment team will be in touch with you at every stage to keep you updated.

If you require any adjustments to the process to enable you to be at your best, please email the team via UKEarly.Careers@ge.com

Security Clearance

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS

Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. Further, sponsorship is not available for our Early Careers opportunities. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.