Higher Apprentice Manufacturing Engineer

BAE Systems; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense manufacturer in the UK is seeking a Higher Apprentice Manufacturing Engineer. This role offers hands-on experience while pursuing qualifications, including an HNC in Manufacturing Engineering and SVQ Level 3 in Technical Support. Responsibilities include producing documentation, liaising with technical departments, and developing innovative solutions. The apprenticeship includes full-time college study in the first year and placement opportunities across engineering functions, providing comprehensive training within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Required to have hands-on experience providing practical skills.
• Must have 5 National 5 qualifications including English, Maths, and a Science/Technical subject.
• Must complete SVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Technical Support.

Responsibilities

• Produce department documentation related to engineering processes.
• Liaise with planning and other technical departments.
• Develop innovative process and product solutions.

Skills

Hands-on experience in manufacturing processes

Documentation production

Liaising with technical departments

Innovative process development

Education

5 National 5 qualifications at Grade C or above

4 Highers at Grade C or above in Maths and Engineering/Science

Job description

Overview

Description

Job title: Higher Apprentice Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Hillend
Salary: Starting at £22,500 per annum with annual progression through the scheme duration

Responsibilities

This program offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while pursuing qualifications in Manufacturing Engineering. You will work alongside experienced professionals within the sub-discipline areas of Manufacturing Engineering, while contributing to real projects and learning about advanced manufacturing processes. You will be:

• Producing appropriate department documentation.
• Liaising with planning and other technical departments.
• Developing innovative process and product solutions.
• Identifying your own development opportunities.
• Working across manufacturing work streams to share best practice and develop your knowledge and skillset.

Engineering apprentices at BAE Systems are predominantly involved in highly skilled work and are required to take responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake within the limits of their personal authority.

What’s Involved

As an engineering apprentice you will spend your first year at college full time carrying out an SVQ level 2 and an NC. This is to teach you both practical and theory-based engineering.

Once you have completed your first year you will attend college one day a week to complete a HNC while also carrying out placements in all the major engineering functions on site. This will last for two years where you will have the opportunity to gain experience in all steps of the manufacturing process. During this time, you will also work towards an SVQ level 3.

The final year will see you complete your SVQ level 3 and start your final placement in one of the engineering departments.

What Qualification will you get?

By the end of the apprenticeship, you will obtain:

• A HNC in Manufacturing Engineering.
• An SVQ Level 3 in Technical Support.

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also 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 - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Maritime Team

With collaboration, innovation and a laser-like customer focus at its core, M&L Defence Solutions is growing a strong, long-term UK product and support business. It focuses on four key areas: Future Warship Support, Underwater Battlespace, Future Land Capability and Future Air Defence, encompassing both major investment in new products and cutting-edge technologies that deliver real benefits to its customers.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Export Control/Security

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks. Click here for more information on national security vetting levels.

Qualification requirements

5 National 5 qualifications at Grade C or above which must include English, Maths (excluding Application of Maths) & Science/Technical subject
AND one of the following:
4 Highers (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. One subject must be Maths and one subject must be in Engineering or a Science/Technical subject
OR an equivalent level 3 vocational qualification (for example L3 SVQ, L6 SCQF) this must be in a STEM related subject areas that aligns to the scheme/area you are applying for and worth a minimum of 96 tariff points)

Start date: 16/08/2026

Application

When applying for this role you will be redirected to BAE Systems careers site where you will be required to:

• Register an account (this is optional, you can apply as a guest)
• Provide contact information
• Upload your cv
• Complete a short diversity & inclusion questionnaire

When asked source type, please select "job board advertisement" then "the IET / E+T Jobs"