Graduate Manufacturing Engineer

Job Advertisement: Graduate Air Manufacturing Engineer

Agency Partner: Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

Client: BAE Systems

Location: Warton / Samlesbury, Lancashire, United Kingdom (Hybrid/Flexible, with site attendance expected 3–5 days per week)

Position Type: Permanent Graduate Contract

Salary: £34,000 per annum + £2,000 Welcome Bonus

Start Date: 6th September 2027

About the Opportunity

Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency is proud to partner with BAE Systems—a global leader in defence, aerospace, and security—to source an ambitious and driven Graduate Air Manufacturing Engineer in Lancashire.

As part of the world-renowned Air Team, you will contribute to the development, manufacture, upgrade, and support of world-leading combat and fast jet trainer aircraft, including the Typhoon, F-35, and Tempest programs. This permanent graduate position offers an extraordinary platform to launch your career, bridging the gap between design and production while working on advanced, mission-critical technologies.

Role Overview

Within the Manufacturing Engineering function, you will play a key role in ensuring products can be manufactured safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. Working across a range of programmes, you will contribute to developing manufacturing capabilities, supporting the introduction of new technologies, optimizing production performance, and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to drive continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

• Process Development: Support aircraft manufacturing and assembly by developing and improving production processes, work instructions, and technical documentation.

• Compliance & Quality: Ensure all activities strictly comply with aerospace regulatory, airworthiness, safety, and quality requirements.

• Problem Solving: Investigate manufacturing issues, conduct thorough root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with design, production, quality, and supply chain teams to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions.

• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to improvement projects using Lean principles to enhance safety, quality, cost, and delivery performance.

• Tooling & Validation: Support the development and validation of tooling, equipment, and production methods while analyzing performance data.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• Academic Background: Must have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, at least a 2:2 Bachelor’s degree (or a pass at Master's level) in Manufacturing Systems / Technology Engineering Management, Manufacturing Management / Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.

• Working Arrangement: On-site presence in Warton or Samlesbury 3 to 5 days per week under hybrid working guidelines.

• Security Clearance: All applicants must achieve, as a minimum, the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Note: Due to strict security and export control restrictions, candidates must meet national identity, birthplace, and residency criteria (typically requiring continuous UK residency of 5 to 10 years for higher-level national security vetting).

Why Join BAE Systems?

• Meaningful Impact: Build a career with purpose, contributing to advanced technology-led solutions that protect what matters most and shape a safer future.

• Professional Growth: Access first-class training, coaching, and mentoring programs designed to stretch your potential and foster lifelong learning.

• Wellbeing & Rewards: Enjoy a competitive starting salary of £34,000 plus a £2,000 welcome bonus, alongside flexible benefits tailored to support your financial and personal wellbeing.

• Inclusive Culture: Thrive in an environment that champions diversity, sustainable working practices, and a strong sense of shared purpose within a global workforce of over 110,000 colleagues.