Structures Test Craft Apprenticeship

Job Description

Job Description:

Start date: 15th September 2025

Location: Filton, Bristol

Duration: 3 years and 3 months

College: Weston College

Qualification: BTEC L3 in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Diploma)

Application closing date: We encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out on this opportunity! Please note we will close adverts as soon as we receive sufficient applications.

Benefits:

Salary: £17,889 (starting salary)

35 hours per week // Half day Fridays! // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays // Pension // Success share // Plus many more flexible benefits!

About us:

This is an exciting opportunity to join Airbus for an apprenticeship in the Structures Test team at the Aerospace Integrated Research and Test Centre (AIRTeC) in Filton, Bristol. AIRTeC is a £100 million state of the art Research & Test facility designed specifically to provide the most advanced collaborative working environment and tools for Airbus and its partners. AIRTeC complements Airbus’s world leading Aircraft Wing design, integration, manufacturing and assembly capabilities on the Filton site. The structures test team is one of three centres that perform or manage the full range of tests on all Airbus Aircraft Programmes and Research & Technology Initiatives.

It is our mission to provide test data that allows our products to fly and be certified, demonstrating strength and life of the cutting edge materials and aircraft components used to construct our aircraft. We must be ready to test new lightweight sustainable materials, technologies and configurations such as the future hydrogen powered aircraft, super flexible high span wings and novel blended wing body aircraft.

We are a diverse team with a range of skills and an enormous amount of experience. The majority of tests that we assemble and perform are one-offs. It’s therefore a great place to work if you like variety, love to face new challenges and want to always develop your practical skills.

Through the 3 year and 3 month programme, you will gain:

• EAL Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Competence);

• EAL Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Development Competence);

• BTEC L2 in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Diploma);

• BTEC L3 in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Diploma).

What you will be doing:

As you near the end of your apprenticeship you may begin to specialise in a career path more electrical or mechanical biased - depending on your interests and aptitude developed throughout your studies and on the job training.

To give an example of the variety, here are some of the range of activities you will be involved in:

• Machining tasks (e.g. on lathes, mills, surface grinders) to modify or produce simple components from scratch;

• Mechanical assembly of tests, including test specimens, test rigs, hydraulic actuators for small coupons up to large tests of whole aircraft wings;

• Physical installation of instrumentation e.g. sensors, inclinometers, string potentiometers, cameras;

• Creation of cables and bespoke connectors;

• Inspecting, calibrating and repair of specialised test and measurement equipment;

• Installing and commissioning control and data acquisition systems;

There will also likely be opportunities to travel to Hamburg, Toulouse and external suppliers to offer support.

Requirements:

In order to be eligible to this apprenticeship you must achieve a minimum of five GCSEs, which must include the following minimum grades:

• Grade C or 4 in Maths (grade B or 5 preferred);

• Grade C or 4 in English;

• Plus 3 other GCSEs at grade C or 4;

• Other qualifications that are equivalent or higher may be considered as an alternative to the additional 3 GCSE’s (subject to validation).

To be successful you need to:

• Be naturally curious and excited to explore;

• Have excellent hands-on and workshop skills, using a variety of tools and equipments;

• Be excited to work in a dynamic and changing environment;

• Be able to manage problems and communicate effectively to resolve them in a fast paced team environment;

• Show willingness to constantly learn and challenge yourself;

• Feel passionate about Aerospace and shaping the sustainable future of the civil aircraft market;

• Have a passion for learning, enjoy hands-on, teamwork and problem solving activities;

• Submit your CV containing your predicted and/or achieved GCSEs grades;

• Include your Cover Letter stating your motivation for this role in your application.

Important Information:

GRADES: Please note for all applicants your offer will be conditional until we receive evidence of the required grades prior to the 31st August 2025, and in addition completing all pre-employment appointments and online forms.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Eligibility to gain UK SC Security Clearance OR You will be subject to a BPSS check (including a criminal record check).

Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers.

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 Apprentices@airbus.com. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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 Operations Limited

Employment Type:

Apprenticeship

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Experience Level:

Student

Job Family:

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
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 emsom@airbus.com.

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.