Key Takeaways
- Undertake a 5-year Hardware Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with Airbus Defence & Space in Newport.
- Earn a salary of £23,000 per year while studying for a BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
- Gain hands-on experience in cryptographic development, hardware design, and testing.
- Applications close on 26 October 2026, with early submission recommended.
About the Role
Airbus Defence & Space is offering an exciting opportunity to join their Cyber Security Division as a Hardware Engineering Degree Apprentice in Newport, South Wales.
What You Will Be Doing
This 5-year apprenticeship combines rotational placements with focused training, offering the chance to master managerial and technical skills. You will be trained in high-grade cryptographic development, learning about existing Ectocryp and CertSecure suite of products, and contributing to the next generation of encryption devices. You will gain on-the-job training and a formal degree qualification without incurring course fees.
As part of this degree apprenticeship, you will be studying towards achieving a BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree Apprenticeship provided by the University of South Wales.
Throughout the programme, you will be assigned to a department and guided through various placement opportunities within your function, the wider business, and with customers and suppliers. Departments include Production, Test & Verification, and New Product Development. You will rotate through these departments, learning key skills such as:
- Specifying, performing, building, testing, and documenting electronics hardware design for electronic system architecture.
- Construction of complex low volume communication products.
- Maintenance of product assembly and test capabilities.
- Repair and test products.
- Design and repair PCBs 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.
Requirements
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must have:
- Academic Qualifications:
- 120–160 UCAS points from A levels, including Maths and an additional numerate subject (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology, 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).
- Personal Attributes:
- Genuine interest in electronic design and development.
- Highly self-motivated, articulate, with good verbal and written communication skills.
- Application Documents:
- Submit your CV stating your grades (predicted or achieved).
- Submit a Cover Letter highlighting your passion and suitability for this apprenticeship.
Key Information
- Start Date: 31st August 2027
- Location: Airbus Defence & Space, Newport
- Duration: 5 years
- University: University of South Wales
- Degree: BSc (hons) Hardware Engineering
- Working Hours: 37 hours per week, with half-day Fridays (subject to completing full hours).
- Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays.
- Security Clearance: Successful candidates will be subject to BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) checks and may require UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control.
- Right to Work: Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme. This role does not meet the minimum requirements for visa sponsorship.
Benefits
- Salary: £23,000 per year
- Pension
- Success share
- Plus many more flexible benefits!