Mechanical Graduate Apprentice

Job Overview

At Leonardo we have an opportunity for school/college leavers or individuals already in work and looking for a new career path, to join the Radar and Advanced Targeting line of business as a Mechanical Engineering Graduate Apprentice working in our design team. Your role as a Leonardo Mechanical Engineering Graduate Apprentice will be to support the design and development of our world leading radar and electro-optic products under the guidance of experienced Mechanical Engineers.

Our new Graduate Apprentice scheme will enable you to learn how to use state-of-the-art methods, technology and tools to explore all aspects of the product lifecycle, including stress and thermal analysis, requirements analysis, design, implementation, test, build and product support.

Leonardo’s Mechanical Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship is a 4-year scheme based in Edinburgh. We are looking for people who have a strong interest in technical / STEM related activities, who understand the importance of communication, and who are able to work well as part of a team and also using their own initiative. You will have the drive and commitment to work through difficult problems to find the right engineering solutions.

Throughout the duration of your apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to rotate through different projects and phases of the product lifecycle in order to accelerate your competency development.

Your working week will consist of a minimum of 3-days on‑job training alongside 1-2 days protected study to allow you to complete your academic studies.

You will study at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh for completion of a BEng (Hons) in Engineering:
Design & Manufacture (Mechanical) through a mixture of work‑based learning, distance learning and day release ing the teaching semesters, you will be required to attend University classes, seminars and labs on campus one day a week. Leonardo also gives up to an additional 1 day per week to work towards your academic studies. Attendance at University classes is mandatory and must be treated in the same way as any other working day.

Upon completion of your Graduate Apprenticeship, you will attain a BSc (Hons) Engineering:
Design & Manufacture (Mechanical) degree.

• Contribute directly to the development and delivery of our cutting‑edge Radar, Laser and Infra‑red counter‑measure products as either a member of one of our Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) or as a member of our central analysis team.
• Receive training in both technical and soft skills which are tailored to the particular role and area of the business you are in.
• The opportunity to accelerate competency attainment through rotational placements around different projects or stages of the product lifecycle, to enable you to become a well‑rounded engineer.
• Continue professional development throughout your career through formal training, site visits, internal awareness sessions, learning from more experienced engineers and keeping up to date with the latest technical developments, both internal to Leonardo and in wider industry.

• 4 Higher Grades (or equivalent): BBBB
• Mandatory:
  Mathematics AND Mandatory:
  Physics or a Technology subject
• Preferred:
  English and another STEM subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Product Design, Craft & Design, Tech Studies, Computing, Woodwork, Metalwork etc.
• Standard Grades (1-3) / National 5: (A-C) in English
• Note:
  
  SAAS funding from English apprentices moving to Scotland must have residency in Scotland before 1st August 2026.

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:

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This employer is part of the Disability Confident scheme. This means if you identify yourself as disabled, and meet the minimum criteria for this job, you should be offered an interview.