Network Engineer Apprenticeship

SK DEFENCE UK LTD

Swindon (SN5 7XF)

Closes in 18 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)

Posted on 12 March 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity to launch a career in network engineering with a company shaping the future of defence technology.

Wage

£27,500 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£25,000-£30,000 per annum.

Training course
Network engineer (level 4)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8:30am- 4:30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 April 2026

Duration

1 year 8 months

Positions available

1

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

  • Install, configure and maintain physical and virtual network infrastructure (routers, switches, firewalls, servers, access points)
  • Support building new network environments, including being part of a team who helps with comms room and infrastructure setup
  • Work with hosted and virtual platforms such as VMware, Nutanix and device management systems (Intune, Jamf, Okta)
  • Assist with cloud, identity and MDM configurations, assessing impact, risks and benefits before implementation
  • Monitor and analyse network, device and security logs to identify root causes and optimisation opportunities
  • Use tools such as PowerShell, Bash and Linux commands to support automation and troubleshooting
  • Collaborate with security teams on compliance requirements and secure configuration changes
  • Document research, impact assessments and change proposals, presenting findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Balance workload across support tickets, infrastructure improvements and data-driven projects

Where you'll work

Delta Office Park, Welton Road
Swindon
SN5 7XF

Training

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

Training provider

BALTIC TRAINING SERVICES LIMITED

Training course

Network engineer (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply tools and techniques when securely operating and testing networks.
  • Install and configure network components.
  • Implement tools and techniques to monitor, identify, analyse and record systems performance in line with defined specifications.
  • Maintain security of the network against potential threats.
  • Apply tools and or techniques to gather information to troubleshoot issues and or isolate, repair or escalate faults.
  • Communicate outcomes of tasks and record actions in line with organisational procedures.
  • Upgrade, apply and test components to systems configurations ensuring that the system meets the organisation’s requirements and minimises downtime.
  • Interpret information and or specifications received from a manager, customer or technical specialist and accurately implement the defined requirements.
  • Implement techniques to optimise systems or component performance in line with defined specifications.
  • Apply the required level of responsibility when organising and prioritising work tasks, clients’ or stakeholders’ requests in line with SLAs and organisation processes.
  • Explain their job role within the business context to stakeholders to enable a clear understanding on both sides of what their remit is and convey technical constraints.
  • Operate securely, and apply process, policies and legislation within their business responsibilities.
  • Configure and maintain network addressing in line with customer requirements.
  • Ensure compliance of network engineering outputs with change management processes including Secure Access Service Edge SASE or Zero-trust networking .
  • Apply tools and techniques when securely operating and testing networks.
  • Install and configure network components.
  • Implement tools and techniques to monitor, identify, analyse and record systems performance in line with defined specifications.
  • Maintain security of the network against potential threats.
  • Apply tools and or techniques to gather information to troubleshoot issues and or isolate, repair or escalate faults.
  • Communicate outcomes of tasks and record actions in line with organisational procedures.
  • Upgrade, apply and test components to systems configurations ensuring that the system meets the organisation’s requirements and minimises downtime.
  • Interpret information and or specifications received from a manager, customer or technical specialist and accurately implement the defined requirements.
  • Implement techniques to optimise systems or component performance in line with defined specifications.
  • Apply the required level of responsibility when organising and prioritising work tasks, clients’ or stakeholders’ requests in line with SLAs and organisation processes.
  • Explain their job role within the business context to stakeholders to enable a clear understanding on both sides of what their remit is and convey technical constraints.
  • Operate securely, and apply process, policies and legislation within their business responsibilities.
  • Configure and maintain network addressing in line with customer requirements.
  • Ensure compliance of network engineering outputs with change management processes including Secure Access Service Edge SASE or Zero-trust networking .

Training schedule

  • Your training will be delivered in 2 day blocks every 6-8 weeks, this will be in our online classrooms via Microsoft Teams
  • You will be working with a specialist coach from Baltic Apprenticeships

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 5)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working

About this employer

SKD Systems, part of the rapidly growing STARK group, is a European defence technology company developing next-generation AI-enabled unmanned systems and mission-critical software used by NATO allies and partner nations. Its technology is designed for the realities of modern defence — software-defined, scalable, and built to deliver technological superiority where it matters most.

As the company continues to invest heavily in innovation, engineering talent, and advanced production capabilities in the UK, this Network Engineer Level 4 Apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity for an aspiring technologist to begin their career in a highly innovative and fast-moving environment.

The successful apprentice will gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced engineers, supporting the infrastructure that powers cutting-edge systems. They will develop practical skills in designing, maintaining and troubleshooting secure networks while building a strong foundation for a career in network engineering.

Company benefits

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays!
Health cash plan and rewards.

After this apprenticeship

  • This apprenticeship programme will provide you with everything you need to launch and develop your career as a Network Engineer

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BALTIC TRAINING SERVICES LIMITED

Oliver Jackson

oliver.jackson@balticapprenticeships.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000020696.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.