Engineering Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Welding Engineering

Programme title: Engineering Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Welding Engineering
Level: SCQF Level 10

Salary:

Year 1: £18,819

Year 2: £22,857

Year 3: £26,884

Year 4: £32,261

Location:Rosyth, Scotland

Final date to receive applications: 8th December 2026

Programme start date: September 2027

Our 4-year Engineering (Design and Manufacture) Graduate Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to contribute to some of the UK’s most important defence programmes, all while working towards a BEng (Hons) degree and building a rewarding career in Welding Engineering.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a skilled team working on real-world projects, including the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates and the maintenance of Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

As a Graduate Apprentice, you'll specialise in Welding Engineering, developing your knowledge of welding processes, materials and metallurgy. You'll learn about the wider engineering context in which welding activities take place, including design constraints, material selection and quality requirements.

You'll work alongside experienced Welding Engineers, supporting a range of activities across the site. This will include assisting with the development and review of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), supporting welding coordination activities and contributing to inspection processes through visual inspections and exposure to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques. You'll also support weld audits and compliance activities, helping to ensure work meets the required quality and regulatory standards.

Throughout the programme, you'll contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by supporting quality enhancements, identifying opportunities to reduce costs and assisting with the development of new procedures where required. You'll gain experience investigating weld issues, understanding root causes and helping implement solutions to prevent them from recurring. As your knowledge develops, you'll also be introduced to emerging technologies, including welding automation and robotics, gaining insight into the future of the profession.

As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll study for a BEng (Hons) in Engineering (Design and Manufacture) through Glasgow Caledonian University.

Delivered through a blended learning model, the programme typically involves one to two days of study per week during term time. Co-designed with industry and accredited by the IET, IMechE, and InstMC, the degree provides a strong academic foundation and supports your journey toward professional recognition.

Alongside your degree studies, you'll benefit from structured workplace development through Babcock, allowing you to apply your academic learning to real engineering challenges while building your professional and technical capabilities.

Throughout the programme, you'll develop and track your capability across key areas including welding processes (TIG, MIG, MMA, etc.), standards and compliance, materials and metallurgy, inspection and quality assurance, problem-solving and root cause analysis, and communication and stakeholder engagement.

By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have developed the technical knowledge, practical experience and professional skills needed to begin a successful career in Welding Engineering.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you'll be ready to step into a Welding Engineering role with a competitive salary starting from £39,000.

From there, your development doesn’t stop. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.