Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

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Programme title: Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Level: 6

Salary: £23,776
Location: Bristol

Application closing date: 12th March 2026

Programme start date: September 2026

Your Role

Our 5.5‑year Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to support critical defence projects while working towards a BEng (Hons) Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree. As an apprentice, you’ll contribute to innovative solutions that make a real impact for our business and our customers.

About the programme 

Working in a discipline of such fundamental importance means your work will be both varied and impactful. Throughout the programme, you’ll help develop and support systems that enable our customers to communicate securely in demanding and remote environments. This could involve supporting electronic design, development, testing and component level repair, solving technical challenges unique to the defence sector.

You’ll collaborate closely with experienced colleagues across design, software, mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as project management, quality and supply chain teams. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your engineering skills by working with stakeholders, understanding business and customer requirements, identifying risks, and ensuring key deliverables are met.

We also encourage mobility across our organisation to broaden your experience. You may have the opportunity to travel to UK sites and gain exposure to the equipment and systems you’ll be working with, helping you build a well‑rounded understanding of our operations.

Your education/training

You’ll study part‑time, with the first three years delivered at Gloucestershire College’s Cheltenham campus, followed by two years at UWE Bristol (one day per week). During your studies, you’ll cover areas such as:

• Electrical & Electronic Engineering Fundamentals
• Embedded Systems & Software Development
• Digital Design & Control Systems
• Electronic Design, Modelling & Manufacture
• Engineering Mathematics & Science

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you’ll achieve a BEng (Hons) Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree.

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Future prospects 

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have a degree, valuable experience, and the confidence to step into an engineering role at Babcock.

You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer.

As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we’ve introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you’ll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.

What you’ll need 

• 5 GCSEs at grade 9 - 4 or A* - C including maths, English and science, technology or engineering related subjects and A Levels at grade C or above in both a mathematical based subject and a science, tech, engineering or additional mathematics related subject, or 90+ credits in an Engineering BTEC. Learners must have the equivalent to 112 UCAS points.
• A full driving licence is required for this role, as it requires frequent travel to multiple sites where no reasonable alternative transport is practical.
• Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be a sole UK national and able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What you’ll get

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career.

In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

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Your career development

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Application process and closing dates  

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.