Space Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship (Aerospace)

Location: Airbus Defence & Space Portsmouth, United Kingdom. The programme is full time and includes 80% on-site work with 20% day-release study at the University of Portsmouth during the core placement years.

Salary: £23,000 per year

Company

hirify.global designs, builds, and tests advanced satellites, payloads, electronic hardware, and maritime satellite terminals.

What you will do

• Develop skills in satellite systems engineering, hardware design, coding, and related engineering competencies through internal placements.
• Learn satellite architecture and collaborate with multifunctional teams on engineering projects.
• Support system modelling, simulations, data analysis, mission design, and customer-specific requirements.
• Work with flight hardware in clean rooms and support vibration, shock, thermal, and EMC testing.
• Help manufacturing teams assemble and test electronic hardware and contribute to research and development in defence technologies.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations while working with mentors and fellow apprentices.

Requirements

• Current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom for the full duration of the four-year programme is required.
• Eligibility for UK apprenticeship levy funding is required; visa sponsorship is not available.
• At least 104 UCAS points from two or three A levels at BCC or above, including relevant subjects such as Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, or Electronics.
• Alternatively, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or above, or a T Level at Merit or above.
• GCSE grade C/4 or above in Maths and English Language, or equivalent Functional Skills qualifications.
• Submit a CV with predicted or achieved grades and a cover letter explaining motivation, suitability, skills, and experience.

Nice to have

• Strong interest in space and engineering.
• Practical experience from projects, hobbies, academic work, or extracurricular activities.

Culture & Benefits

• Four-year apprenticeship leading to a BEng (Hons) in Space Systems Engineering at the University of Portsmouth.
• Structured internal placements across engineering and business functions, with specialist development in the third year.
• Opportunity to work alongside technical experts, industry leaders, mentors, and an established early-careers cohort.
• 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, pension, success share, and flexible benefits.
• 37-hour working week with half-day Fridays subject to completing full hours.
• BPSS screening may be required, with potential UK SC security clearance or export-control requirements depending on the role.

Hiring process

• Applications close on 26 October 2026 or earlier once sufficient applications are received.
• Predicted-grade offers are conditional on achieving the required qualifications before the programme starts on 31 August 2027.
• The apprenticeship concludes with an End Point Assessment and progression into a permanent full-time role.