Design Engineering Graduate Apprentice

Apprenticeships; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is offering a 4-year Design Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship in Edinburgh. This program involves on-the-job training and working towards a BEng (Hons) in Engineering: Design & Manufacture. Applicants should have 4 Higher Grades including Mathematics, and Physics. The role requires commitment to both work and study to develop as a qualified engineer in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Drive to deliver results and learn throughout the apprenticeship.
• Willingness to comply with safety and process instructions.
• Commitment to the educational aspect of the role.

Responsibilities

• Rotate around different Engineering hiring functions.
• Learn how to design and support advanced avionic equipment.
• Specialize in one of the Engineering Disciplines in years 3 & 4.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Compliance with safety instructions

Education

4 Higher Grades (including Mathematics and Physics or a Technology subject)

Standard Grades (1-3) / National 5 in English

Job description

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Job Overview

Leonardo offers a range of Apprenticeships from 2-4 years 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.

We support helping you settle in to your new location ensuring you are familiar with the team and have a warm welcome from day 1.

There is a member of our Apprentice team at each site, helping you progress, ensuring your study time is protected, enabling access to digital learning as well as opportunities to get involved with the local community and STEM projects, enhance many aspects of each programme.

Leonardo’s four‑year Design Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship scheme in Edinburgh is looking for people who understand the importance of communication, who are able to work well as part of a team and also on their own initiative. You will have the drive and commitment to work through difficult problems to find the right engineering solutions.

You will study at the University of Strathclyde for completion of a BEng (Hons) in Engineering: Design & Manufacture through a mixture of work‑based learning, distance learning and day release at University. On completion you should have met the requirements for Incorporated Engineer as part of the way to gaining Chartered Engineer status.

We need people who understand the importance of our customers and are ready to commit to working in the business, whilst also committing to a 4 year degree programme. At the end of the programme, you will work as a highly qualified member of our Engineering community in a discipline such as electronics, test and systems engineering.

Key Responsibilities Areas

During the first two years of your employment, you will be required to spend up to one day a month at University. Leonardo also gives 2 days a week to work towards your academic studies.

What You Will Do

• Rotate around different Engineering hiring functions
• Learn how to design, manufacture and support advanced avionic equipment
• Develop Engineering knowledge, skills and behaviours
• Practice the full engineering lifecycle
• In Year 3 & 4 you will specialise in one of the Engineering Disciplines covered in your rotations

Qualifications

Leonardo values people that look to always develop throughout their career and along with an eager willingness to learn, a successful apprenticeship with Leonardo involves a drive to deliver results, sometimes from your own initiative, a patience for problem solving, as well as a need to comply with safety instructions and clear process compliance at all times. We view commitment to the programme and learning objectives very highly.

• 4 Higher Grades (or equivalent): BBBB
• Mandatory: Mathematics & Mandatory: Physics or a Technology subject
• Preferred: English and another STEM subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Product Design, Craft & Design, Tech Studies, Computing, Woodwork, Metalwork etc.
• Standard Grades (1–3) / National 5: (A‑C) in English

All applicants must comply with the relevant SAAS criteria which requires them to be resident in Scotland prior August 1st 2026.

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, this 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

At Leonardo, we are strongly committed to supporting all our people, and, as society and the environment we work in changes, our approach to Inclusion and Diversity continues to evolve and adapt to reflect this. A culture of inclusion goes on to create an environment for greater collaboration, innovation and opportunities to develop as an organisation. If you are willing and able to commit to giving your best performance, you will find Leonardo a very rewarding place to work!

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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
• Government Administration

Job location

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom