Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice

Are you curious, ambitious, and ready to take your first step into the world of aerospace engineering? This is your chance to earn a degree, gain hands-on experience, and help shape the next generation of aerospace technology - all while getting paid.

What you'll do

As a Degree Apprentice, you'll:

• Rotate through specialist teams across Airframe, Design & Stress, Systems Integration, Quality, Support Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing
• Be involved in the full lifecycle of aerospace systems and products - from design and development, to testing, qualification, and in-service support
• Learn how to read and interpret engineering drawings, reports, and computer-generated models
• Collaborate with engineers from across multiple disciplines
• Develop problem-solving skills to design, test, validate, and improve engineering solutions
• Spend your first year at the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College in Filton working towards your Level 2 qualification, before moving to our Global Technology Centre in Bristol from Year 2, where you'll progress through your Level 4 and Level 6 qualifications
• Contribute to STEM outreach and community projects - because engineering isn't just about technology, it's about people too

Training

Year 1: College-based learning, combining a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) with hands-on foundational training in engineering.

Years 2-4: Rotate across different technical departments at GKN sites, gaining real-world industry experience while continuing your university studies (day release).

After the apprenticeship

Career Opportunities: On successful completion, apprentices can progress into exciting roles such as: Design Engineer, Analysis Engineer, Technology Engineer, Materials & Process Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineer.

Skills

• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Innovation
• Interest in engineering
• Collaborative
• Ownership
• Curiosity
• Proactivity

Qualifications

• Essential: GCSE, Five GCSE's including Maths, English, Science (grade Grade 4 (C))
• Essential: A Level, Including 2 STEM subjects such as Maths, Physics (grade 96 UCAS Points)

Benefits

• 25 days of holiday (plus bank holidays!) to recharge and relax
• Discounts on your favourite shops and brands
• A top-tier pension scheme - we boost your savings for the future
• Life assurance and income protection, because your wellbeing matters
• Access to a 24/7 support programme if you ever need to talk
• Virtual GP appointments for you and your close family

About the employer

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we're inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We're proud to play a part in protecting the world's democracies. And we're committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world's aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Aerospace engineer (level 6), Engineering and manufacturing
• Apprenticeship level: Degree (level 6)
• Training provider: WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
• Expected duration: 4 Years
• Hours: 37 hours a week. Working week: Monday to Friday.

Flexi hours (TBC).

• Start date: 6 September 2027
• Positions available: 4
• Wage: £23,500 a year