Space Manufacturing Engineering Higher Technical Apprenticeship

Location: Airbus Defence & Space Portsmouth, United Kingdom. The four-year apprenticeship includes study at Havant and Southdowns College and on-site rotations. Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme.

Salary: £22,000 per year.

Company

hirify.global designs, builds, and tests advanced satellites, payloads, and maritime satellite terminals supporting communications, climate monitoring, broadcasting, and secure connectivity.

What you will do

• Learn how satellites and payloads are built in a design and manufacturing environment.
• Work in large space-industry cleanrooms on satellite hardware.
• Run vibration, shock, thermal, and EMC tests in on-site environmental test facilities.
• Support payload integration and manufacturing activities.
• Help assemble and test advanced electronic hardware.
• Complete study and practical placements across different engineering disciplines over four years.

Requirements

• Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including grade 5/6 (B) in Maths and English Language, or equivalent qualifications.
• Passion for engineering demonstrated through education, hobbies, projects, or practical activities.
• CV showing grades and whether they are predicted or achieved.
• Cover letter explaining motivation for Airbus, the apprenticeship, and a career in the space industry.
• Current legal authorisation to work in the UK for the full duration of the four-year programme.
• Eligibility for levy funding and successful completion of required security checks, including BPSS and potentially UK SC-level security clearance or export-control checks.

Nice to have

• Experience with engineering clubs, personal projects, academic work, or extracurricular activities involving mechanical or electrical systems.

Culture & Benefits

• 37-hour working week with half-day Fridays, subject to completing full hours.
• 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays.
• Pension, success share, and flexible benefits.
• Learning alongside a cohort of six apprentices, with projects, events, and outreach activities.
• Potential to move into a permanent role after successful completion; over 95% of completing apprentices move into permanent business roles.
• Opportunities for further education supported by the business.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV with predicted or achieved grades and a motivation-focused cover letter.
• Applications close on 4 January 2027, or earlier once sufficient applications are received.
• The apprenticeship starts on 31 August 2027 and includes an end-point assessment in Year 4.