Space Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship (Aerospace)

Location: Airbus Defence & Space, Stevenage, United Kingdom. Full-time, five-year apprenticeship starting 31 August 2027. The role includes travel to environmental test facilities and launch sites. Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom for the full duration of the programme; visa sponsorship is not available.

Salary: £23,000 per year

Company

hirify.global builds, tests, and launches spacecraft for European Space Agency and national space missions.

What you will do

• Gain experience across spacecraft subsystems and the Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test department.
• Support spacecraft subsystem integration, functional testing, system testing, and environmental testing.
• Perform electrical measurements, write and debug scripts, and develop new test solutions.
• Investigate anomalies, analyse initial test results, and prepare clear technical documentation and presentations.
• Support spacecraft interface checks at launch sites and collaborate with local and transnational engineering colleagues.

Requirements

• Minimum 96 UCAS points from A Levels or relevant Level 3 qualifications in a science or engineering field.
• Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Maths, and a Science subject.
• Practical hands-on engineering experience and a good knowledge of programming and scripting, ideally including C, Java, and Bash.
• Ability to investigate how systems work, make evidence-based decisions, and develop creative solutions to complex technical problems.
• Clear communication, accurate documentation, teamwork, flexibility, and willingness to support occasional shift working.
• Submit a CV showing grades and whether they are predicted or achieved, plus a cover letter.

Nice to have

• Experience from personal projects, academic work, hobbies, or extracurricular activities involving practical engineering.
• Interest in spacecraft, aerospace, electrical engineering, and innovative testing.

Culture & Benefits

• Friendly and supportive engineering community of around 20 engineers.
• 37-hour working week with half-day Fridays subject to completing full hours.
• 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays.
• Pension, success share, and additional flexible benefits.
• BPSS security screening may be required, with possible UK SC-level security clearance or export-control requirements depending on the role.
• Inclusive environment focused on technical development, collaboration, integrity, and continuous learning.

Hiring process

• Applications close on 26 October 2026 or earlier once sufficient applications are received.
• Predicted-grade offers are conditional on achieving the required grades before the apprenticeship start date.
• Successful candidates must be eligible for levy funding and complete the required security checks.