Space Systems Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Babcock International

Bordon, Hampshire, Corsham

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

Posted on 10 October 2025

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Summary

Our 5-year Space Systems Engineering Apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to earn a BEng in Space Systems Engineering from the University of Portsmouth, while helping to protect lives and support critical national infrastructure.

• Wage:

  £23,776 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Space systems engineer (level 6)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

  35 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  5 years

• Positions available:

  3

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• 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.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 0JE
• 1001 Skynet Drive, Corsham, SN13 9NP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH

Training course

Space systems engineer (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Identify and implement technical engineering solutions. For example, by using trade studies.
• Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders: verbal and written.
• Present information. For example, presenting project progress and key performance information (KPI's) such as cost, quality, time, risk and opportunities, contributing to technical publications, conveying information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Review and interpret customer requirements for the function and performance of their spacecraft or subsystem.
• Produce space engineering designs, specifications and drawings. For example, for tender and manufacturing stages.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical proposals. For example, by providing the lead engineer with technical input.
• Contribute to technical reviews with stakeholders. For example, explaining proposed solutions to the customer.
• Perform design and mechanical-structural, thermal and dynamic-vibration analysis, for deployable structures.
• Calculate and model the performance of electronic, mechanical and thermal subsystems using approved industry techniques. For example, communications, power, data handling and thermal control.
• Use scientific and engineering data. For example, to support decision making during design, build and operations phases of a mission or project.
• Identify and apply test standards and procedures. For example, identify and apply test standards for a specific project or mission.
• Prepare and apply technical documentation. For example, schedules, test plans, test reports, quality reports, and the digital tools used for their preparation.
• Research technical solutions to problems. For example, use peer-reviewed literature and technical publications to research technical solutions with awareness of patent rules.
• Use information technology including digital tools for presentation of data, digital communication, collaboration, design and analysis.
• Identify and comply with legal and statutory requirements. For example, health and safety, Environmental protection, sustainability, space certification requirements and data protection.
• Work with and lead others including, negotiation, conflict management, mentoring and developing others; taking account of diversity, equality and inclusivity.
• Mission Analysis techniques using numerical analysis and simulation tools such as AGI-Systems Toolkit or NASA-GMAT.
• Identify and implement technical engineering solutions. For example, by using trade studies.
• Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders: verbal and written.
• Present information. For example, presenting project progress and key performance information (KPI's) such as cost, quality, time, risk and opportunities, contributing to technical publications, conveying information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Review and interpret customer requirements for the function and performance of their spacecraft or subsystem.
• Produce space engineering designs, specifications and drawings. For example, for tender and manufacturing stages.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical proposals. For example, by providing the lead engineer with technical input.
• Contribute to technical reviews with stakeholders. For example, explaining proposed solutions to the customer.
• Perform design and mechanical-structural, thermal and dynamic-vibration analysis, for deployable structures.
• Calculate and model the performance of electronic, mechanical and thermal subsystems using approved industry techniques. For example, communications, power, data handling and thermal control.
• Use scientific and engineering data. For example, to support decision making during design, build and operations phases of a mission or project.
• Identify and apply test standards and procedures. For example, identify and apply test standards for a specific project or mission.
• Prepare and apply technical documentation. For example, schedules, test plans, test reports, quality reports, and the digital tools used for their preparation.
• Research technical solutions to problems. For example, use peer-reviewed literature and technical publications to research technical solutions with awareness of patent rules.
• Use information technology including digital tools for presentation of data, digital communication, collaboration, design and analysis.
• Identify and comply with legal and statutory requirements. For example, health and safety, Environmental protection, sustainability, space certification requirements and data protection.
• Work with and lead others including, negotiation, conflict management, mentoring and developing others; taking account of diversity, equality and inclusivity.
• Mission Analysis techniques using numerical analysis and simulation tools such as AGI-Systems Toolkit or NASA-GMAT.

Training schedule

• 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.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• Any Subject (grade C/4 or above)
• Any Subject (grade C/4 or above)
• English (grade C/4 or above)
• Maths (grade C/4 or above)
• Science Subject (grade C/4 or above)

A Level in:

• Any Subject (grade C or above)
• Maths (grade B or above)
• Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (grade C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Team working

Other requirements

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: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

About this employer

Babcock is an international defence, aerospace and security company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.

Company benefits

• Fully funded qualification • 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

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

• 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.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000345964.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 18 December 2025

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