Panels Manufacturing Technician Apprentice

Job Description:

Start date: September 2027

Location: Stevenage

Duration: 3 years

Application: We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

Closing date for applications: 30th January 2027

Salary: A competitive starting salary of £18,000

37 hours per week // Up to 2 Flexi Days per month // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Plus many more flexible benefits! 

​​About Us

Airbus is Europe’s number one Defence and Space enterprise, so what better way to start your Craft Apprenticeship than with an industry leader.

Being a Panels Manufacturing Technician Craft Apprentice at Airbus means you will get to develop Mechanical skills within our programme. You will be immersed in a stimulating Manufacturing environment.

As a Panels Manufacturing Technician Craft Apprentice, you'll gain hands-on experience in a highly specialized and stimulating manufacturing environment. You'll develop essential mechanical skills while working on large, complex Satellite Panels that are then built into a Satellite Structure. This is your chance to contribute to missions that will explore our solar system, protect our planet, and provide vital communication services.

This role is for someone who wants to turn their passion for practical skills into a career that is literally out of this world! You will be immersed in a supportive team of experts who will mentor you as you build components that will endure the harsh realities of space.

What you will be doing

Year 1: You will study towards a Level 2 Engineering Operative ST0537 on the materials and processing pathway, gaining both academic knowledge and practical experience.

Year 2: During the Apprenticeship you will have a unique opportunity to experience different Production Areas of the business which will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how a Satellite is manufactured at Airbus Defence & Space. This includes working in small teams or on a one-to-one basis to manufacture Spacecraft Panels, Mirror Bonding and Treatments using the latest approved processes and advanced production techniques for Satellite manufacture.

Your key activities & responsibilities will be:

Panel Assembly

• Use of various different adhesives
• Use of hand measuring tools to meet tight tolerances
• Installation of various panel features (potting inserts, riveting, edge taping)
• Following process and tolerances to drawings on 3DX

Final Assembly

• Installation of panel features including Ty-bases, MLI (multi-layer insulated blankets) studs, connector brackets & cleats and brackets using laser technology
• Heat pipe installation to extremely tight tolerances as low as 0.15mm

Mirror bonding

• Use of silicone adhesive to install SSM (second surface mirrors) to various types of panels and spacecraft features.
• Cutting mirrors with diamond tip pens to extreme accuracy

Treatments

• Surface finish measurements such as friction and paint thickness
• Application of surface finishes including aerospace approved primers and paints
• Grit blasting
• Conversion coatings and protective finishes
• Masking of hardware in preparation for spraying

During the 2nd year of the apprenticeship, you will attend a week of Team Building Activities and Exercises at one of the Outward-Bound UK Sites. Split up into teams consisting of Apprentices of all levels from various Airbus Defence and Space sites, you will work as a team to complete daily activities such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, Abseiling, Canoeing and more

Year 3: You will be fully on-site, fine tuning your hand skills against the business skills matrix.

Requirements

• Funding Eligibility: Applicants must be aged 16–21* and cannot hold a Level 2 or higher qualification (e.g., NVQ, BTEC, HND, or Degree) in Engineering, Aerospace, or related technical fields. For more information, please consult Foundation Apprenticeships Criteria*
• Education: No strict formal entry requirements, though a Grade 3 (or equivalent) in GCSE Maths and English is desirable.
• Skills & Attributes: Strong communication, reliability, excellent work ethic, a can-do attitude, and the ability to follow technical instructions and work well independently or in a team.
• No prior experience required—full on-the-job training will be provided.

BOOST YOUR APPLICATION

We want to get to know you! Not just your grades or school background so, tell us on your cover letter:

• Why Airbus?
  What is it about Airbus that makes you excited to start a career with us? Is it our aircraft, innovation, global impact, or something else? Let us know what interests you about our work and why we stand out to you.
  
• Why a hands-on apprenticeship?
  Why do you want to learn by doing? We’d love to hear what draws you to practical, skills-based learning.
  
• Show your hands-on experience.
  In your CV or cover letter, include any hands-on activities or hobbies where you've used practical skills. These could be things like:
  

• • DIY projects
  • Building and fixing things
  • Doing make-up or beauty work
  • Tinkering and Tech Projects
  • Building models
  • Baking or cooking
  • Others

Show Us What You've Built! 

We love seeing what you are passionate about. If you've worked on any hands-on projects—whether it's building, baking, fixing something —we'd be thrilled to see it!

Feel free to attach photos, documents, or a short video showcasing a project you're proud of. This isn't a requirement, but it’s a fantastic way to give us a glimpse of your practical skills. We can't wait to see your work!

Important Information:

Joint-Venture: This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint-Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING: This role is delivered as a government-funded Level 2 Apprenticeship.For more information about the eligibility criteria, please check the link: Foundation apprenticeship

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK: Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom. For more information, please check theGovernment Website. Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbushttp://airbus.com/en/careers/use-of-ai.

Contact:

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact via email [email protected]​. ​Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited

Employment Type:

Apprenticeship

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Experience Level:

Student

Job Family:

Support to Management

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [email protected].

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.