Design Engineering Apprentice

Apprenticeships; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace organization is offering a Design Engineering Apprenticeship in Edinburgh. This full-time program allows apprentices to gain hands-on experience through rotational placements alongside skilled professionals, while also completing relevant academic qualifications. Candidates must have strong grades in Mathematics and Physics, along with other relevant subjects. Ideal for individuals eager to start their career in engineering and information technology.

Benefits

Paid training

Support with academic qualifications

Qualifications

• Mandatory: Mathematics and Physics with grades A-C.
• Another subject preferably in technology with grades A-C.
• Minimum National 5 English with grades A-C.

Responsibilities

• Engage in rotational placements gathering work evidence.
• Attend college full-time for initial SVQ Level 2.
• Complete a folder demonstrating development into a technician.

Skills

Drive to deliver results

Initiative

Patience

Problem-solving

Education

3 x Higher Grades in Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science

Another Higher subject, preferably technological

Standard Grades / National 5 in English

Job description

Job Overview

Leonardo offers a range of Apprenticeships from 2-4yrs across a variety of STEM and business routes, offering paid training, coupled with on the job learning that enables you to gain practical skills, experience and knowledge that sets up the best start to your career. We offer competitive entry salaries and fully support your academic learning through to qualifications, with salary increases as you progress.

Whether leaving school or college with GCSEs/Standards, A Levels/Highers (or equivalent) or in work and looking for a new career path, you are fully supported as you rotate within the business working on real-time projects alongside highly skilled professionals who are passionate about their work. We support you settling into your new location, ensuring you are familiar with the team and have a warm welcome from day 1. A member of our Apprentice team at each site helps you progress, ensuring your study time is protected, enabling access to digital learning and opportunities to get involved with the local community and STEM projects.

Leonardo values people that seek continuous development and an eager willingness to learn. A successful apprenticeship with us involves a drive to deliver results, initiative, patience, problem‑solving, compliance with safety instructions and process compliance. We view commitment to the programme and learning objectives very highly.

Leonardo is an international leader in electronic and information technologies for defence systems, aerospace, data, infrastructures, land security and protection, and sustainable ’smart’ solutions. You will work within world‑class facilities. During the apprenticeship you may be working in an office, laboratory, or a combination of both.

Apprenticeship Structure

Leonardo’s four‑year Design Engineering Apprenticeship provides a wealth of learning and development opportunities including an HND in Engineering systems, SVQ level 2 (PEO) and SVQ L3 – Diploma in Engineering. Working with world‑leading specialists, you will increase your technical skills, develop your academic and practical understanding of the engineering lifecycle, and gain essential practical skills to succeed.

You will undertake a series of rotational placements within our Test Systems Group. These placements provide broad operational experience and a wide range of skills and knowledge within test systems. During the rotations you will learn how to test complex electrical and mechanical systems to ensure they are safe and reliable, giving you a flavour of all aspects of engineering verification and testing within the function.

Key Responsibility Areas

Years 1 and 2

During your first five months you will be attending college full‑time to complete an SVQ Level 2. Once back on‑site, you will conduct rotational placements, gathering real work evidence such as written logs describing day‑to‑day tasks completed and highlighting the key engineering competencies you have demonstrated. The SVQ will require you to complete a folder of evidence, demonstrating your development into a well‑rounded technician/engineer through on‑the‑job training and gaining essential practical skills. During this time you will also attend college on day release to gain the academic qualifications required by the Apprenticeship framework.

Years 3 and 4

Having gained broad experience across Leonardo, you will undertake a final placement and further your academic study to HND level. These activities will focus on your area of specialisation, and on‑the‑job training will enable you to gather the final evidence required for the SVQ. Beyond the programme you may have the opportunity to further your academic achievements based on your talents, capability, and the needs of the business.

Who would suit this role?

Leonardo values people who continually develop their careers and have an eagerness to learn. A successful apprenticeship involves a drive to deliver results, initiative, patience, and problem‑solving, along with compliance with safety and process compliance at all times. We also regard dependability to the programme and learning objectives as very highly.

Required Academic Qualifications

• 3 x Higher Grades (or equivalent): Mandatory: Mathematics (A‑C) and Physics (A‑C) or Engineering Science (A–C)
• Plus another Higher subject, preferably a technological subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Product Design, Craft & Design, Tech Studies, Computing etc. (A‑C)
• Standard Grades (1‑3) / National 5: (A‑C) English – minimum Nat 5 A‑C

Note: This Apprenticeship assumes the candidate has little engineering knowledge and is NOT suitable for candidates who already have an HND.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, which could include meeting the eligibility requirements for the Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

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Disability Confident

This employer is part of the Disability Confident scheme. This means if you identify yourself as disabled, and meet the minimum criteria for this job, you should be offered an interview.

Seniority Level

Internship

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

Government Administration