Manufacturing Test Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2026

MBDA Missile Systems; Bolton; On-site; GBP 19,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in Bolton is offering a Manufacturing Test Engineering Degree Apprenticeship for 2026. This opportunity allows you to earn while studying a BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, with hands-on experience in manufacturing processes. Successful candidates receive a salary of £18,750 plus benefits, including a £3000 joining bonus. Must meet GCSE and A-level requirements along with a passion for engineering.

Benefits

Fully funded qualification

Paid travel expenses

Annual pay reviews

25 days annual leave plus flexi leave

Study leave during exam periods

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English, Maths, and a Science or Technology subject.
• Completed qualifications must achieve 120 UCAS Tariff points.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively across different engineering teams.
• Support the manufacturing process through various placements.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot non-conforming products.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Technical documentation

Education

5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 including English, Maths, Science or Technology

3 A levels at minimum grade C including Maths and either Physics or an engineering subject

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with DDM

Job description

Overview

Manufacturing Test Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship 2026

Salary: £18,750 plus a £3000 joining bonus.

Work Location: MBDA Bolton

Learning Provider Location: University of Greater Manchester

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.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ROLE IS MIDNIGHT ON 23rd JANUARY 2026 (SUBJECT TO APPLICATION VOLUMES)

What we can offer you

• Fully funded qualification starting September 2026
• Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
• Annual pay reviews
• 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
• Study leave during exam periods

The opportunity

Manufacturing Test Engineering is part of the Operations Directorate in MBDA. We have engineers deployed across three of our UK sites supporting the manufacturing, testing and programming of the whole build cycle, from circuit cards through to missiles and the platforms they're integrated onto. To do this, we work with varied technologies including electronics, mechatronics, optics and RF.

As you progress through your Degree Apprenticeship you will be working within Manufacturing Test Engineering, covering different stages of the manufacturing process through placements. In each placement you'll find yourself among a team of encouraging engineers who have varied experiences and expertise, working together to support a set of equipment. Test Engineers work closely with several collaborative functions such as Product Design, Test Equipment Design, Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Assurance to support our key customer, Manufacturing Operations.

Daily activities for a Test Engineer vary from hands on experience with the product on the shop floor and in the lab, to working in the office on technical documentation and drawings. Examples of regular activities include:

• Diagnosing and fault finding on non-conforming products or equipment
• Authoring instructions and/or specifications
• Drafting and publishing drawing packs
• Analyzing test and production related data
• Introducing new innovative products and equipment into Manufacturing
• Process improvements
• Collaborative work with other areas of the business

Every employee across our vast range of teams and skillsets brings something unique to the business, so we make sure to provide an environment that allows everyone to be themselves, work in ways that suit them in line with their role, and be rewarded for their efforts!

Programme structure

For the 4.5 years whilst you are an Apprentice, you'll study 1 day a week towards a BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University of Greater Manchester, which will be fully funded by MBDA. You'll do rotational placements for the remainder of the week, allowing you to earn an academic and nationally recognised qualification, whilst gaining on the job learning experience within a professional and friendly workplace.

In the first three years, you'll spend three months external to Test in another area of MBDA, and nine months within Test, split into three months with Operations and six months with Engineering. In the time spent within Test you will rotate through different teams and you may have the opportunity to work within the following areas:

• Circuit Card Assembly
• Actuators and Control Equipment
• Seekers and Datalinks
• Inert Missile
• Platform Equipment and Cables

The final year will be spent developing in a single placement. This will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the specific area including the ongoing projects and complex challenges within it.

Find more details about the course here: https://www.bolton.ac.uk/course/ELR008-P-UOB-SS

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!

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:

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4

This must include:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Any Science or Technology subject

After GCSEs:

After your GCSEs you must have completed one of the following and achieved 120 UCAS Tariff points:

• 3 x A levels at minimum grade C including Maths and either Physics or a technology/engineering subject
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at minimum grade of DDM including a Distinction in Further Maths module.
• T-Level at Merit or Distinction in an Engineering subject

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.

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.

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