Hardware Engineering - Electronics Degree Apprenticeship

Airbus; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £23,000 per year

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension

Job summary

Airbus Defence and Space Limited offers a four-year apprenticeship focused on high-grade cryptographic development and electronic design. You will rotate through departments, gain hands-on experience, and study toward a BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with the University of South Wales.

You will be trained in cryptographic systems, receive on-the-job instruction, and earn while you learn with a formal degree qualification, all while being paid.

Qualifications

• 120–160 UCAS points from A levels including Maths and a numerate subject
• BTEC National Diploma or BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP/PP
• 3 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English Language
• Must be highly self-motivated with good verbal and written communication
• Submit CV stating grades and whether predicted or achieved; include Cover Letter detailing suitability

Responsibilities

• Rotational placements across departments during the four-year programme
• Learn electronic design techniques and cryptographic development within the team
• On-the-job training while pursuing a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Skills

Electronics design

Self-motivated

Education

UCAS points 120–160

A levels including Maths

GCSEs including Maths & English

BTEC National/Extended Diploma

Job description

Job Description:

Start date: 31st August 2027

Location: Airbus Defence & Space Newport

Duration: 5 years

University: University of South Wales

Degree: BSc (hons) Hardware Engineering

Application closing date: Applications will be open until 26 October 2026. After this date, the advert will close once sufficient applications are received. Early submission is recommended.

We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for. However, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

Benefits:

Salary: £23,000

37 hours per week // Half day Fridays!* // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits!

*subject to completing full hours prior to this

About us:

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016, it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as Europe's number one space enterprise and the world's second largest space business. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Our people work with passion and determination to make the world a more connected, safer and smarter place. Taking pride in our work, we draw on each other's expertise and experience to achieve excellence. Our diversity and teamwork culture propel us to accomplish the extraordinary – on the ground, in the sky and in space.

Would you like to work on advanced high grade crypto systems and key management systems to protect Governments, Military, Enterprise Organizations and essential National Infrastructure from cyber threats? Airbus Defence & Space have exciting apprenticeships starting in our Cyber Security Division at our base in Newport, South Wales.

As an apprentice you will be trained in high grade cryptographic development, you will learn about our existing Ectocryp and CertSecure suite of products. You will join a team of highly skilled team of engineers working to deliver the next generation of encryption devices. You will receive on the job training and a formal degree qualification all while being paid and accruing no course fees.

As part of this degree apprenticeship, you will be studying towards achieving a BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree Apprenticeship which will be provided by University of South Wales.

What you will be doing:

Our UK Apprenticeship Programme provides exceptional candidates the opportunity to master managerial and technical skills. Over the four year period it combines rotational placements with focused training and the possibility of European assignments as well as further personal development and the chance to build your professional network.

From day one, you will be assigned to a particular department and will be guided through the various placement opportunities that exist within your function, the wider business and even with customers and suppliers. This, along with training provided works to ensure you are ready and experienced enough to take the next step of your career following the programme's conclusion.

There are several departments that require electronic engineers; these include Production, Test & verification, and New Product Development. You will move around the different departments throughout your apprenticeship learning the key skills that each department requires, giving you a broad range of technical skills. These skills will include: how to specify, perform, build, test, and document electronics hardware design for electronic system architecture.

Skills you will be taught will include:

• Construction of complex low volume communication products;
• Maintenance of product assembly and test capabilities;
• Repair and test products;
• Design and repair PCB's to IPC standards;
• Requirements capture skills;
• Soldering to approved standards;
• Schematic capture;
• Computer Aided Design for simulation and design;
• Performing in-house electronics design;
• Documenting the design.

The successful candidate will be subject to security clearance in order to undertake related work in accordance with business needs.

Requirements:

In order to be eligible to this apprenticeship, you must have a minimum of:

• 120–160 UCAS points made up of A levels which must include Maths and an additional numerate subject (such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography)

Or

• BTEC National Diploma at PP or BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP

And

• 3 GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above including Maths and English Language or equivalent subject to validation

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Genuine interest in electronic design and development;
• Must be highly self-motivated, articulate, with good verbal and written communications skills;
• Submit your CV stating your grades and if they are predicted or achieved;
• Submit a Cover Letter highlighting your passion and suitability for this apprenticeship.

BOOST YOUR APPLICATION:

We want to get to know you—not just your grades or school background so, tell us on your cover letter:

• Why Airbus and this apprenticeship?
  What is it about Airbus that makes you excited to start a career with us? What is it about our company, our values, or the future of aerospace that excites you? We want to hear about what motivates you to pursue this unique path and how you see yourself growing with us.
• What skills and experience do you bring?
  Think about projects, hobbies, or academic subjects that have given you practical experience. This could include personal projects, academic work and extracurricular activities.

Important Information:

GRADES: If you are on predicted grades, your offer will be conditional to achieving the position’s requirements before the apprenticeship start date.

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 full duration of the programme. 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 Use of AI Guidance.

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.

#UK_APP

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type: Apprenticeship

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Experience Level: Student

Job Family: Support to Management

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.