General Engineering Higher Apprenticeship 2027 - Stevenage

MBDA; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded qualification

Paid travel expenses

Annual pay reviews

Healthcare Cash Plan

25 days annual leave + flexi leave

Study leave during exam periods

Job summary

MBDA is offering an Engineering Manufacturing Technician (level 4) apprenticeship with a path to an HNC in Engineering. The program combines college study with on‑the‑job learning at MBDA sites, including rotation through multiple engineering disciplines over four years.

You will complete a fully funded qualification starting September 2027, with travel expenses paid and annual pay reviews. Security checks are required.

Qualifications

• GCSEs meeting the minimum grade requirements across Maths, English and Science/Technology subjects.
• Eligibility for an apprenticeship entry based on GCSE results and course prerequisites.
• Willingness to study for a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship and an HNC.

Responsibilities

• Complete a 4-year apprenticeship with rotating placements in Mechanical Engineering and related areas.
• Study onsite at Cambridge Regional College (Cambridge) and work onsite at MBDA for the remainder of the week.
• Participate in BPSS security checks as part of MBDA recruitment process.
• Benefit from professional qualifications through the IMechE, IET or RAeS.

Education

GCSE Maths 5+

GCSE English 4+

GCSE Science/Tech 4+

Job description

Due to the need to attend your MBDA site and the training provider as required for your apprenticeship, applicants need to ensure their home or rental location is appropriate, travel arrangements are manageable and travel time is minimised as required for your role.

The qualification: You will complete an Engineering Manufacturing Technician (level 4) apprenticeship and study for an HNC in Engineering.

Find out more details on the course here: https://www.camre.ac.uk/course/engineering-manufacturing-technician-level-4-apprenticeship-standard/CC4AS4EMT/

Security clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Friday 22nd January 2027 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What We Can Offer You

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2027
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• Healthcare Cash Plan: provides support with everyday health related costs – including medical, dental, optical, physio and health & wellbeing
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

Programme Structure - Your Work at MBDA

• You’ll study onsite at Cambridge Regional College (Cambridge) 1 day per week. When not studying you’ll be working in Mechanical Engineering (ME) and can expect to be onsite at MBDA for the remainder of the working week.
• As an Engineering Apprentice you will work in an open-plan working environment with state of the art testing and manufacturing facilities and laboratories aimed at aiding your learning and development.
• Our collaborative approach and culture of sharing knowledge will be key to your development. We trust each other to thrive; support one another to learn, and when you join us, you’ll bring a different perspective to how we see the future.
• This is a fantastic opportunity for you to join an apprenticeship scheme that has developed winners of some of the most prestigious apprenticeship awards in the UK.
• You’ll experience rotational placements over your 4 year scheme. This way of studying allows you to earn academic and nationally recognised qualifications as well as gain hands on learning experience within a professional and friendly workplace.
• At college you’ll be learning your basic skills with your remaining time spent on placements, typically lasting three to six months.

Placements within the business include;

• Mechanical Design
• Missile Design incl. Hardware-In-The-Loop
• Manufacturing
• Integration and Systems Validation
• Customer Support
• Environmental Engineering
• Quality
• Procurement
• Drawing Office

We will also help you to achieve Professional qualification through the IMechE, IET or RAeS.

What We're Looking For From You

This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying otherwise your application will not be considered. If you are currently studying and predicted to meet these requirements by the start date you are welcome to apply.

GCSEs:

• GCSE Maths at Grade 5 minimum
• GCSE English Language at Grade 4 minimum
• An additional 3 GCSE's at Grade 4 minimum to include a Science or Technology subject

After GCSEs:

Following your GCSE's you must have completed one of the following qualification routes, equivalent to a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points:

• A level: Three A levels with a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points, including A level Mathematics, with no individual grade below C.
• BTEC: A single Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at MMM or above, including a Distinction in Further Maths module.
• T level: T Level in Engineering with a minimum Merit grade.

Please note: We look at entry criteria based on your top three full A Levels or equivalent qualifications (BTEC/T Level). We do not include UCAS points gained from an Extended Project Qualification. Additionally, as an employer we set our own entry criteria based on the requirements of this role. This means that the criteria above may differ from the university.

Information

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of online learning platforms such as Percipio, YouLearn, Career Builder and Video Gateway. Each one is tailored to a specific type of learning. Speak to your line manager to find out more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. You’ll have access to our Learning Gateway, which hosts the formal course catalogue and is where you can select the right training for your role and future development. The catalogue displays which courses are being delivered virtually or are classroom based. If you want to lead a team, you might be interested in our management training, designed for people of all experience levels.

The way we work is changing and your schedule will reflect that. For non-executive employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.

For further information, please view our Security & Vetting page.

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information