Quality Engineering Apprentice

Overview

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries, we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

For further information about our apprenticeships we are holding an apprenticeship open evening on Tuesday 17th February 2026 from 15:30 – 20:00. The event will take place at our Global Technology Centre, Taurus Rd, Patchway, Filton, Bristol, BS34 6FB
. To attend the careers event, please register your details here. You will receive a confirmation email with your 1.5 hour time slot. If you do not receive confirmation, please do not attend.

The evening will give an insight into what our apprenticeships entail, including the opportunity to meet current apprentices across all disciplines and get hands on with the tools and equipment used as part of the role and see the impact GKN Aerospace has on the Aerospace industry.

You will also have the chance to meet our training teams and talent acquisition team where you can discuss your application, career opportunities, and what GKN Aerospace can offer you.

We look forward to seeing you and discussing the future of Aerospace!

Location: Bristol, UK

Start Date: September 2026

Ready to be part of something big? As a Quality Engineering Apprentice at GKN Aerospace Bristol, you’ll help build the future of aviation, and you don’t need industry experience to get started. Every day, you’ll play a role in delivering world‑class products that keep aircraft flying safely, sustainably, and reliably.

At our Bristol sites, we design and manufacture large, complex wing structures, precision metallic components, and advanced systems for civil aircraft. And now, we’re inviting you to join us on this exciting journey.

You’ll earn while you learn, studying toward a Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) recognised Level 4 Quality Practitioner qualification (equivalent to HNC) and a Level 5 Improvement Specialist apprenticeship (equivalent to HND). Over 48 months, you’ll rotate across our three Bristol sites — including our £32m state‑of‑the‑art Global Technology Centre — to gain hands‑on experience with real engineering challenges and cutting‑edge technology.

We’ll teach you the tools, processes, and mindset used by quality professionals across the aerospace industry. With new technologies like hydrogen and electric propulsion emerging, this apprenticeship gives you the chance to be on the front line of next‑generation aerospace innovation.

This is your chance to explore every corner of our operations. Through a wide mix of placements across our Bristol sites, you’ll learn how we manufacture and assemble precision aircraft structures and components; and how our quality team keeps everything performing at its best.

You’ll develop core quality and engineering skills, including how to:

• Understand and apply aviation regulations, standards, and policies
• Collect, interpret, and analyse data to improve production processes
• Work with multi functional teams to solve real engineering challenges
• Explore fabrication, welding, machining, assembly, composites, testing, and special processes
• Identify, manage, and deliver quality improvement projects
• Plan and carry out system, process, and product audits
• Analyse risks and support teams in managing them
• Spot performance gaps and help develop plans to close them
• Assist design engineering, manufacturing engineering, and operations teams with quality questions and investigations

As your confidence grows, you’ll move into more advanced responsibilities, such as:

• Leading and contributing to continuous improvement projects
• Creating project plans and presenting them for review
• Coaching and supporting others in using quality tools
• Mapping and analysing processes and value streams
• Studying process capability and performance
• Using data to build predictive models
• Working with…