Plant Support Engineer Stevenage Placement (13 months)

Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical.

The Industrial Management Team is at the heart of our mission to deliver spacecraft faster, more affordably, and to the highest quality. We are responsible for driving a wide range of improvement activities, from minor process enhancements to major research and development projects.

The world is a beautiful place
At Airbus, we strongly believe a successful business is a responsible business.

This role is based in Stevenage, where our team plays a crucial part in enhancing the Operational Excellence Maturity of the Stevenage site. We achieve this through the implementation of our Operational Excellence System (OES), Lean methodologies, and by fostering a culture of continuous improvement. We also define and manage the Stevenage Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration, and Test (MAIT) Improvement Plan, ensuring we meet our savings commitments and business expectations by successfully delivering key projects.

You'll be working closely with colleagues across our sites in Portsmouth, Stevenage, Friedrichshafen, Ottobrunn, and Toulouse, as well as with the wider Industrial community. You will build valuable relationships with your counterparts in other MAIT sites to share expertise and best practices. In addition, you will collaborate with our colleagues in Airbus Commercial and Airbus Defence and Space Transformation Teams.

What you will be doing:

During this placement, the activities you may undertake will include:

  • Support HO Industrial Management and Key product Owners to define and deliver a credible 12 month improvement plan for the site;
  • Responsible for continually reviewing and reducing the “MAIT Cost Base” and “Ready for Bid Price” through improvement opportunities generated by MAIT and other business units. This is for all MAIT customers; Mechanical Platform (T-BD), Antennas, Mechanisms & ENS;
  • Support in the development of production dashboards and KPI visualisation to support industrial efficiency;
  • Support in multi-project oversight to aid in coordinating efficient use of facility footprint and resources;
  • Implement and mature the Operational Excellence System (OES) within MAIT working closely with the central Industrial team;
  • Deliver Lean Improvement Projects on Quality, on Time and on Cost. (5S, Visual management, VSM, Flow Analysis, KPIs);
  • Drive specific problem solving/improvement activities;
  • Lead and support the streamlining of processes;
  • Report the status of the Improvements Projects and controlling of cost and schedule;
  • Responsible for standardisation of Lean MAIT Processes, documentation and working methods across Stevenage and/or Portsmouth;
  • Responsible for the promotion of Lean education and awareness in Portsmouth ensuring a standardised approach with other sites where possible.

Requirements:

Our placements are open to Undergraduates only. Therefore it is mandatory for candidates to be an undergraduate for the whole duration of the placement. Please inform your graduation date on your application.

Please ensure you include your CV and a cover letter for your application to be considered.

This role will involve working in areas which require stakeholder, brand and reputation management and involvement with internal and external audiences.

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Studying towards a degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical/Radio Frequency, Project management or Health & Safety;
  • Understanding in Practical Problem Solving (PPS), running Kaizen workshops, implementing visual management in production and office environment;
  • Experience in improvement projects;
  • Some knowledge of coding and scripting;
  • Good communication skills;
  • Creative and inventive, that are able to think outside the box and has an entrepreneur mind set;
  • Open minded, and proactive.

Benefits:

  • Salary: £24,500
  • 35 hours per week
  • Flexible working hours
  • Hybrid working options available depending on the role
  • Half day Fridays!
  • 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

We've signed the Gradcracker feedback pledge.
(This means that we will supply feedback if requested after an interview.)

1e127ede32d8f816eacfb0aed73cee11

Job ID Number: JR10428921
Can I use AI to apply?

Our team reviews applications personally – no AI algorithms are involved in sifting through applications. We want to see your own communication skills and how you explain your experiences. We want to hear about your insights and how you link your background to what the job actually needs at Airbus. We're recruiting you for the human qualities and talents.

This button will open a new tab and take you directly to the employer's website.
Please remember, if asked, that you found this opportunity on Gradcracker.
Add to Shortlist
Shortlisted
  • Deadline
    October 25th, 2026
  • Starting
    July 2027
  • Hiring Multiple Candidates
    Yes
  • Salary
    £24,500 + benefits
  • Degree required
    Bachelor's
  • Duration
    13 months
  • Location
    Stevenage (Hertfordshire) (Hybrid)
Show location/s on map
Disciplines Accepted...
  • Electronic/Electrical
  • Manufacturing
  • Mechanical
The 2026/27
Gradcracker Toolkit
Explore the online version
For our new webinar season we are inviting students to submit questions to our featured employers.
Find out more here
© 2007 - 2026 Gradcracker Limited
Log in/Register
Gradcracker Limited, October House, Long Street, Easingwold, York, YO61 3HX
01347 823822
info@gradcracker.com
Company registration number: 6370348