Manufacturing Operator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
MBDA UK LIMITED
Hertfordshire (SG1 2DA)
Closes on Friday 23 January 2026
Posted on 14 October 2025
Contents
Summary
MBDA offers a fantastic four-year apprenticeship programme. This opportunity would suit anyone that has a keen interest in how things work and is looking to learn and shape a career around a practical skill. Manufacturing consists of the Assembly, Integration and Test of all our products for the company.
- Wage
-
£18,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
3k joining bonus; Annual pay reviews.
- Training course
- Engineering fitter (level 3)
- Hours
-
Your contract will require you to work for 37 hours per week.
Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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4 years
- Positions available
-
2
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
You will be part of a team of operations personnel in a fast-paced but friendly and inclusive manufacturing environment. The team has a great mix of personnel, all striving to deliver technical excellence and maintain product output.
You'll get to experience the following placements, to name a few:
- Printed electrical circuit manufacturing
- Clean room assembly processes
- Cable manufacturing
- Missile assembly, integration and test
- Calibration & maintenance
Where you'll work
Six Hills Way
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 2DA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
Training schedule
On this 4 year programme you will follow the Level 3 Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship Standard which aligns with IET EngTech professional recognition.
Throughout your apprenticeship you'll study at Milton Keynes College, one day per week, which will combine virtual and face to face learning, as appropriate.
Our Manufacturing Operator Apprentices are the future of our Manufacturing facility. We are working to build a flexible pool of Operators - and you could be part of this.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
Other requirements
Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
About this employer
MBDA is the only company capable of designing and producing missile systems to meet the current and future needs of the armed forces over land, sea and air. Through our expertise, we have become a trusted partner to the Ministry of Defence and work closely with the military to ensure that they have the capability they need, in order to protect our freedoms
https://www.mbdacareers.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Flexible working hours, paid overtime, a comprehensive pension scheme, company bonus schemes and superb learning and development opportunities.
After this apprenticeship
Through regular one to ones, development plans and the use of Mentors, you will have the opportunity to shape your career within the organisation. We have many senior members in the organisation that started life as an MBDA apprentice.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000346427.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 23 January 2026
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