GE Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering – 12 Month Placement

About GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace is advancing aviation technologies for today and tomorrow. Your work will contribute to the production of advanced jet engines, components, and integrated systems that power commercial and military aircraft. You’ll be part of a team that embraces your drive, your curiosity, and your unique ideas and perspectives.

Manufacturing is key to our work at GE Aerospace. Consistently going above and beyond, our Manufacturing teams organize and direct the production of components and assemblies to the highest standards. If you want a hands-on opportunity to advance flight for future generations, this is the team for you.

Roles and Responsibilities

We have several placement roles within Manufacturing Engineering:

• Manufacturing Engineering – Power (Cheltenham): You’ll be defining and controlling production processes, including the required tooling and equipment; validating design specifications and the implementation of new products, tools, and equipment on the shop floor; and driving accountability through regular operating rhythms to ensure manufacturing engineering activities support production needs. The role evaluates and enhances quality control processes, analyses and reports on production performance (including methods, schedules, downtime, cycle times, machine availability, and waste), and acts as a key stakeholder in the selection and approval of new equipment in line with best practices. It also ensures compliance with relevant policies and regulations, coordinates maintenance and repair activities to keep equipment operational, and identifies and leads improvement projects that deliver cost savings and reductions in direct labour time.
• Project Manufacturing Engineering (Cheltenham): Contribute to Manufacturing Engineering activities and projects, supported by structured technical training in areas such as Lean, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control, problem solving, PFMEA, value stream mapping, process flow diagramming, root cause analysis, mechanical concepts, and materials behaviour. In line with our 2027 roadmap, they will participate in projects. You will also help develop Standard Operating Procedures and support local process improvement (Kaizen) initiatives. Throughout the placement, their learning and project involvement.
• NPI Manufacturing Engineering (Dowty): You will gain hands-on experience across the full spectrum of manufacturing engineering, from production and Lean Six Sigma to research and development. You will support activities such as engineering design, production planning, materials management, cost-reduction projects, problem solving, and the introduction of new products and technologies, including 3D printing and advanced manufacturing methods. Typical responsibilities can include helping to introduce and prototype new technologies, tracking New Product Introduction projects and their impact on business growth, working closely with shop floor teams and other departments to coordinate production and logistics, collecting and analysing data on labour, process stability, and performance metrics, supporting yield improvement initiatives with metallic and composite manufacturing teams, designing tooling and prototypes using CAD/3D modelling software, standardising documentation to improve efficiency and sharing of best practices, and building a strong understanding of shop floor processes and how they interconnect.

You will be guided by structured goals and objectives and will have responsibility to deliver on inspiring projects supported by your People Leader and team around you. We will guide you throughout the year to ensure you make the best of your GE Aerospace experience. Your People Leader will offer coaching and mentoring, and you will be provided with the opportunity to connect with other placement students across the UK.

This Manufacturing Engineering team opportunity is offered in our Cheltenham and Gloucester (Dowty, a GE Aerospace company) sites. During the process, we will ask you to share your location and team preferences.

Cheltenham Site: With over 1,700 employees, GE Aerospace based in Cheltenham is one of the largest sites outside the USA and a major contributor to the local economy. Our heritage dates back to 1940 yet our technology is cutting-edge. Located in the heart of Gloucestershire, the Power Distribution & Controls (PD&C) site focuses on the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art aircraft power distribution and avionics systems for the global aviation industry. Our customers include all major aerospace manufacturers - covering commercial, business jet and military applications.

Dowty Site (Gloucestershire): Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, is a world-leading supplier of electronically controlled, composite propeller systems for a wide range of civil and military applications, including commercial airliners and military airlifters to multi-role seaplanes and marine hovercraft. Key programs include the Lockheed Martin C-130J, the De-Haviland, Dash 8-400 and the Leonardo C-27J.

This placement role is an intended pipeline for our Operations Management Leadership Programme (OMLP) or our Manufacturing Engineering Leadership Programme (MEDP). Towards the end of the placement year, we will open graduate applications for our current placement students with an aim to secure a role prior to the end of their placement year.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Currently studying an Engineering related bachelor’s or an integrated master’s degree including Manufacturing, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Design (Engineering), Materials Science & Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics or General Engineering.
• On course to achieve a 2:1 degree or above.
• 3D printing and CAD design is a plus.
• To be in your penultimate year of study and returning to education post placement.

Desired Characteristics

• Able to roll up your sleeves and get involved in projects.
• Organised & able to work towards deadlines.
• Inspired and curious to learn.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to take ownership for projects.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Able to work as part of a team.

Total Reward

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice, and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

As a new joiner to GE, we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs:

• Non-contributory Pension
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection
• Private medical cover
• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible options to buy or sell

Recruitment Process

As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to submit an initial CV application. After this, the stages include a video interview, testing and MS Teams online interview. Our recruitment team will be in touch with you at every stage to keep you updated and understand what is next in the process.

If you require any adjustments to the process to enable you to be at your best, please email the team via UKEarly.Careers@geaerospace.com .

Security Clearance

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security.

Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. Further, sponsorship is not available for our Early Careers opportunities. Our placement roles are pipeline for our graduate roles so you would need the permanent right to work to be eligible.

Join us and help move the aerospace industry forward.