Manufacturing Technician Craft Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Airbus; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Airbus Defence and Space Limited in Stevenage offers a Manufacturing Technician Craft Apprenticeship. You will study toward a Level 2 Engineering Operative ST0537 while gaining hands-on experience in a satellite manufacturing environment.

The 3-year program runs 37 hours per week with a starting salary of £18,000. You will be mentored by experts, with early exposure to production areas and on-the-job training. Apply by 30 January 2027.

Qualifications

• Funding Eligibility: aged 16-21 and cannot hold a Level 2 or higher qualification in Engineering, Aerospace or related fields.
• Education: GCSE Maths and English desirable; no strict entry requirements.
• Skills & Attributes: strong communication, reliability, good work ethic, can-do attitude, following technical instructions, teamwork.
• No prior experience required; full on-the-job training provided.

Responsibilities

• Produce aluminum panels according to production plans and quality standards.
• Manufacture satellite propulsion pipework and bend pipes using specialist equipment.
• Perform precision cleaning and handling of pipework and components.
• Apply aerospace primers/paints and manage surface finishes.
• Operate CNC machines and set programs for production runs.
• Year 3 focuses on honing hand skills on-site with business skills.

Skills

Strong communication

Reliability

Work ethic

Can-do attitude

Follow technical instructions

Teamwork

Education

Level 2 Engineering Operative ST0537

GCSE Maths and English

Job description

Job Description:
Start date: 31st August 2027
Location: Stevenage
Duration: 3 years
College: North Herts College (Stevenage)
Closing date for applications: 30th January 2027
Salary: A competitive starting salary of £18,000
37 hours per week // Up to 2 Flexi Days per month // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Plus many more flexible benefits!
About Us
Airbus is Europe’s number one Defence and Space enterprise, so what better way to start your Craft Apprenticeship than with an industry leader.
Being a Manufacturing Technician Craft Apprentice at Airbus means you will get to develop Mechanical skills within our programme. You will be immersed in a stimulating Manufacturing environment.
As a Manufacturing Technician Craft Apprentice, you'll gain hands‑on experience in a highly specialized and stimulating manufacturing environment. This is your chance to contribute to missions that will explore our solar system, protect our planet, and provide vital communication services. This role is for someone who wants to turn their passion for practical skills into a career that is literally out of this world!
You will be immersed in a supportive team of experts who will mentor you as you build components that will endure the harsh realities of space.
What you will be doing
Year 1: You will study towards a Level 2 Engineering Operative ST0537 on the materials and processing pathway, gaining both academic knowledge and practical experience.
Year 2: During the Apprenticeship you will have a unique opportunity to experience different Production Areas of the business which will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how a Satellite is manufactured at Airbus Defence & Space. This includes working in small teams or at a one-to‑one basis using the latest approved processes and advanced production techniques for Satellite manufacture.
Your key activities & responsibilities will be:

Blanks

• Produce high-quality aluminum composite panels according to production plans and quality standards.
• Follow standard processes, specific area requirements, and health and safety regulations.
• Promote and adhere to cleanroom regulations and 5S policy.
• Perform daily tasks including laminating, tooling, vacuum bagging, and working with various materials.

Pipe Bending

• Manufacture pipework for our Satellite Propulsion systems.
• Use of our state-of-the-art pipe bending machine
• End prepping of pipes ready for precision clean and then welding
• Use of both Titanium and Stainless-Steel pipe of various diameters

Precision Clean

• Use precision cleaning methods
• Use of various chemicals/acids
• Handling of propulsion pipework and various other parts and components
• Bag, seal and identify pipework, parts and components for transportation to the required areas and projects

Treatments

• Surface finish measurements such as friction and paint thickness
• Application of surface finishes including aerospace approved primers and paints
• Grit blasting
• Conversion coatings and protective finishes
• Masking of hardware in preparation for spraying

CNC Machining

• Use our state-of-the-art CNC machines
• Set the machines to run their programs
• Operate the machines and make sure they run smooth without era’s

Year 3: You will be fully on-site, fine tuning your hand skills against the business skills matrix.

Requirements

• Funding Eligibility: Applicants must be aged 16-21* and cannot hold a Level 2 or higher qualification (e.g., NVQ, BTEC, HND, or Degree) in Engineering, Aerospace, or related technical fields. For more information, please consult Foundation Apprenticeships Criteria *
• Education: No strict formal entry requirements, though a Grade 3 (or equivalent) in GCSE Maths and English is desirable.
• Skills & Attributes: Strong communication, reliability, excellent work ethic, a can‑do attitude, and the ability to follow technical instructions and work well independently or in a team.
• No prior experience required-full on-the-job training will be provided.

Show Us What You've Built!

We love seeing what you are passionate about. If you've worked on any hands‑on projects-whether it's building, baking, fixing something -we'd be thrilled to see it! Feel free to attach photos, documents, or a short video showcasing a project you're proud of. This isn't a requirement, but it’s a fantastic way to give us a glimpse of your practical skills. We can't wait to see your work!

Important Information

Joint‑Venture: This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint‑Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING: This role is delivered as a government-funded Level 2 Apprenticeship. For more information about the eligibility criteria, please check the link: Foundation apprenticeship

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.

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK: Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom. For more information, please check the Government Website. Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus http://airbus.com/en/careers/use-of-ai.

Contact

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact via email [e-mail]. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Company:
AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type:
Apprenticeship

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Experience Level:
Student

Job Family:
Support to Management

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