Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Space Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Babcock International
Bordon
2 weeks ago
Create job alert

During your apprenticeship, you'll be embedded in Babcock's Skynet Service Delivery Wrap (SDW) programme. The Skynet system provides secure satellite communications to the UK and NATO armed forces, enabling personnel to stay connected anytime, in any environment, anywhere on Earth. You'll work four days a week from one of our key engineering locations - either Hawthorn (Corsham) or Oakhanger (Bordon) - where our teams help to maintain and modernise the UK's sovereign space communications infrastructure. Accommodation expenses will be covered when travel away from your home base is necessary, including visits to Babcock locations such as Ashton House (Bristol). As you progress, you'll rotate through our Skynet SDW engineering teams, gaining insight into how each area supports the wider system. You'll assist in a variety of technical tasks that grow in complexity as your skills and confidence develop. One day you might be supporting upgrades to communications systems on a Royal Navy warship; the next, testing advanced satellite devices or helping to redesign systems that integrate newly launched spacecraft. You may even help develop subsystem designs that enhance our satellite ground stations. This is a role with real impact where you won't just be gaining specialised engineering skills; you'll be contributing to a mission that helps protect lives and maintain national security.Your education/training During your apprenticeship, you will study for a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BEng) in Space Systems Engineering through the University of Portsmouth. Your academic studies will complement the work you're doing in the business, with modules covering electronics, mechanical and electrical systems, software engineering and space communications. This blend of theory and practice will help you build a deep and practical understanding of how space systems operate and evolve. You'll also develop valuable skills in systems engineering, hardware design, and coding. During term time, you'll typically spend one day per week at university and four days embedded in Skynet engineering activities. Additional study time will be provided during exam periods and for university project work, ensuring you have the support you need to succeed academically.Future prospects On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, you will be invited to apply for one of a range of engineering opportunities within Babcock. You'll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer. As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we've introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you'll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.

  • A minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), including Maths, English and a science subject.
  • 3 A Levels, including Maths at grade B or above, one Science, Technology, Engineering or additional Mathematics subject at grade C or above, and a third subject at grade C or above.
  • 104 UCAS points from three subjects.
  • Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

    Personal development training and opportunities
  • Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Employee share scheme
  • Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portalYou'll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.Your career development It's hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you'll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career. Plus, when you join us, you'll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Space Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Senior Contracts Officer M/F

Senior Systems Engineer

Systems Simulation & Modelling Engineer

Senior ILS Engineer

Systems and Verification Engineering - Section Lead, Future Product - Submarines

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Space Industry Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Need To Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK space‑sector hiring has shifted from pedigree‑first screening to capability‑driven evaluation across the full stack—spacecraft systems, payload/RF, flight software, GNC/ADCS, propulsion, structures/thermal, AIT (assembly–integration–test), mission/ground operations, reliability/radiation, and compliance (ECSS, export control). Employers want proof you can build, test, operate and scale space systems safely and economically. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for satellite/spacecraft engineers, payload & RF/MM‑wave, flight & ground software, GNC/ADCS, power/thermal, AIT/test, mission ops, data/EO, and space product/TPM roles. Who this is for: Systems engineers, payload/RF engineers, flight software & FDIR, GNC/ADCS, power/thermal/structures, propulsion, AIT/test, reliability/radiation, QA/compliance, ground segment/cloud, mission operations, EO/data processing, and product/programme managers targeting roles in the UK space ecosystem.

Why Space Careers in the UK Are Becoming More Multidisciplinary

The UK’s space sector is growing fast — from satellite systems and Earth observation to satellite communications, space robotics, propulsion, space data analytics, and mission operations. But the nature of space work is changing. Projects involving satellites, launch systems, space robotics and ground infrastructure are now embedded in regulation, public perception, human interaction and cross-disciplinary design. Space careers in the UK used to be dominated by engineers, astrophysicists, systems analysts and telemetry experts. Today, they increasingly demand fluency not only in aerospace, software, electronics & data, but also in law, ethics, psychology, linguistics & design. After all, space systems operate under treaties, privacy constraints, public scrutiny, international collaborations and human interfaces. In this article, we explore why space careers in the UK are becoming more multidisciplinary, how those allied fields intersect with space work, and what job-seekers & employers must do to thrive in this evolving cosmos.

UK Space Team Structures Explained: Who Does What in a Modern Space Department

The UK space sector is rapidly expanding. With growth in satellite design, Earth observation, communications, launch systems, space science, downstream applications, and regulatory and operational services, there’s rising demand for skilled professionals across many disciplines. Building a high-impact space organisation requires well-defined team structures, clear roles, strong collaboration, and alignment across engineering, science, operations, regulation, and commercial functions. If you are applying for roles via UKSpaceJobs.co.uk or hiring into your company, this guide will help you understand the principal roles you’ll find in a space team, how they interact during mission lifecycles, what skills UK employers expect, salary norms, common challenges, and best practice for structuring space teams that succeed.