Manufacturing Test Engineering Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
MBDA UK LIMITED
Bolton (BL5 1ED)
Closes on Friday 23 January 2026
Posted on 21 October 2025
Contents
Summary
We have engineers across our UK sites supporting the manufacturing, testing and programming of the whole build cycle and the platforms they're integrated onto. We work with varied technologies including electronics, mechatronics & optics. On this Apprenticeship you'll be covering different stages of the manufacturing process.
- Wage
-
£18,750 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
3k joining bonus and annual pay reviews.
- Training course
- Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday with a flexible working scheme.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years 6 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
Daily activities for a Test Engineer vary from hands on experience with the product on the shop floor and in the lab, to working in the office on technical documentation and drawings. Examples of regular activities include:
- Diagnosing and fault finding on non-conforming products or equipment
- Authoring instructions and/or specifications
- Drafting and publishing drawing packs
- Analysing test and production related data
- Introducing new innovative products and equipment into Manufacturing
- Process improvements
- Collaborative work with other areas of the business
Where you'll work
Lea Field Way
Bolton
BL5 1ED
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF GREATER MANCHESTER
Training course
Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
- Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
- Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify and use processes, resources and technologies to complete electrical and electronic engineering projects or programmes of work.
- Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the electrical and electronic engineering process.
- Carry out pre operations checks of electrical and electronic engineering systems and equipment before use.
- Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
- Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
- Communicate with others verbally, for example colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing, for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
- Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the electrical and electronic engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
- Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
- Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
- Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
- Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify and use processes, resources and technologies to complete electrical and electronic engineering projects or programmes of work.
- Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the electrical and electronic engineering process.
- Carry out pre operations checks of electrical and electronic engineering systems and equipment before use.
- Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
- Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
- Communicate with others verbally, for example colleagues and stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing, for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
- Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking electrical and electronic projects or programmes of work.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the electrical and electronic engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
- Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
- Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
Training schedule
For the 4.5 years whilst you are a Level 6 Apprentice, you'll study 1 day a week towards a BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University of Greater Manchester, which will be fully funded by MBDA.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
A Level in:
- Maths (grade C)
- Physics (grade C)
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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
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
This is a great opportunity to explore the breadth of Engineering and to work with innovative technologies. It could lead to personal and professional progression to people management, where you could become a technical specialist, project manager, or beyond.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY OF GREATER MANCHESTER
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000347521.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 23 January 2026
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