Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship 2027

About the role

🚀 Join Airbus as a Cyber Security Apprentice! 🚀

Application Closing Date: 26 October 2026. Applications may close earlier once we have enough candidates, so get yours in ASAP! ⏳

We're super excited about your interest in Airbus! You can apply for as many positions as you like, but you can only move forward in the selection process for one at a time. Make sure to check out all the cool opportunities and pick the ones that best fit your vibe and future goals. ✨

Perks You'll Love:

• Salary: £23,000 💰
• Hours: 37 hours per week (Work hard, play hard! 😉)
• Half Day Fridays! ☀️ (Subject to completing your full hours beforehand)
• Holiday: 25 days + bank holidays 🏖️
• Pension: Secure your future! 📈
• Success Share: Get rewarded for our wins! 🏆
• Plus loads more flexible benefits! 🎉

The Gig: What You'll Be Doing

Want to dive into advanced crypto systems and key management to shield governments, military, businesses, and critical infrastructure from cyber threats? 🛡️ Airbus Defence & Space is looking for awesome apprentices to join our Cyber Security Division in Newport, South Wales!

You'll get trained in high-grade cryptographic development, learning all about our Ectocryp and CertSecure products. You'll join a team of brilliant engineers building the next generation of encryption devices. Best part? You'll get paid, gain real-world experience, and earn a formal degree qualification with ZERO course fees! 🤯

This degree apprenticeship means you'll be working towards a BSc Software Engineering Apprenticeship Degree from Cardiff University. 🎓

Your 4-Year Adventure:

Our UK Apprenticeship Programme is designed to help you master both technical and managerial skills. You'll experience rotational placements, focused training, and even get the chance for European assignments! 🌍 We'll also support your personal development and help you build a killer professional network. 🤝

From day one, you'll be assigned to a department and guided through various placement opportunities within your team, the wider business, and even with our customers and suppliers. This, combined with your training, will make sure you're ready to crush your career goals after the program. 💪

As part of the Software Engineering team in Airbus Defence and Space Cyber Security UK, you'll be developing new cryptographic devices and key management systems to protect super sensitive national and commercial information. 💻 You'll grow your skills in both embedded software and Windows application development, meeting the high standards of the UK National Cyber Security Centre. You'll contribute to the full development lifecycle of our bespoke cryptographic products, working alongside systems, hardware, FPGA, and verification engineers. 🧑‍💻👩‍🔬

Your Software Development Tasks Will Include:

• Learning how we design, develop, integrate, and test software according to Airbus Defence & Space standards. 📝
• Understanding the tools, methodologies, and coding standards we use and how they help us nail our project goals. 🛠️
• Discovering how design decisions are made, drawing on established practices and your growing technical expertise. 🤔
• Getting the hang of cost/benefit trade-offs in design. ⚖️
• Learning estimation techniques for software development plans and how to allocate resources. 📊

You'll Become a Pro At:

• Real-time software design and development in resource-constrained/embedded environments using C or C++. 🚀
• Familiarizing yourself with key design and architectural patterns. 🏗️
• Object-oriented analysis, design, and development using UML. 📈
• Requirements elicitation, traceability, work package definition, and estimation. 🎯
• Participating in Agile processes to ensure software solutions are top-notch and meet functional/security specs. ✅

What You Need to Apply:

• Academic Qualifications:
• 104-112 UCAS points from 3 A-levels (grade C or above) OR
• BTEC/Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM OR
• T Level: Merit or above
• GCSEs: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language (or Welsh First Language) and Mathematics (or Mathematics–Numeracy). 📚
• Skills & Passion:
• A genuine passion for software development. ❤️
• Be super self-motivated, articulate, and have great verbal and written communication skills. 🗣️
• Submit your CV with your grades (predicted or achieved). 📄
• Submit a Cover Letter that WOWS us, highlighting your passion and why you're perfect for this apprenticeship. 🌟

Ready to Apply? BOOST YOUR APPLICATION! 🚀

We want to know YOU, not just your grades! Tell us in your cover letter:

• Why Airbus and this apprenticeship? What makes Airbus the dream place to start your career? What excites you about our company, our values, or the future of aerospace? How do you see yourself growing with us? 🌱
• What skills and experience do you bring? Think about projects, hobbies, or subjects that have given you practical experience – personal projects, academic work, or extracurricular activities all count! 💡

Important Stuff to Know:

• GRADES: If you have predicted grades, your offer will be conditional on achieving the required grades before the apprenticeship starts. ✅
• SECURITY CLEARANCE: You'll need to pass a BPSS check. Depending on the role, you might also need UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control. 🕵️‍♀️
• RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK: You must have the legal right to work in the UK for the entire program. Our apprenticeships don't qualify for visa sponsorship. 🇬🇧
• AI Guidance: Thinking of using AI for your application? Please check out our guidelines first! 🤖
• Contact Us: Need any adjustments to help you access and participate fully in the recruitment process? Reach out to us at apprentices@airbus.com. All info shared is strictly confidential. 📧

We're committed to diversity and inclusion, so we welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background. Airbus is an equal opportunity employer. We will NEVER ask for any money during recruitment. Report any impersonation attempts to emsom@airbus.com.

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. We're constantly innovating to provide advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. ✈️🚀🛰️🚁

Ready to take flight? Click the apply button! Remember, spots can fill up fast, so don't wait too long! 😉

Key responsibilities

• Developing new cryptographic devices and key management systems
• Contributing across the full development lifecycle for bespoke cryptographic products
• Learning how software is designed, developed, integrated, and tested in accordance with standards
• Understanding and applying tools, methodologies, and coding standards
• Partaking in an Agile process to ensure software solutions meet functional and security specifications

Skills