Software Engineering Degree Apprentice

Job Description:

The opportunity

Leonardo offers a range of Apprenticeships from 2-5yrs. across a variety of STEM and business routes, offering paid training, coupled with on the job learning that enables you to gain practical skills, experience and knowledge that sets up the best start to your career. We offer competitive entry salaries and fully support your academic learning through to qualifications, with salary increases as you progress.

We support helping you settle into your new location ensuring you are familiar with the team and have a warm welcome from day 1. There is a member of our Apprentice team at each site, helping you progress, ensuring your study time is protected, enabling access to digital learning as well as opportunities to get involved with the local community and STEM projects, enhance many aspects of each programme.

As Software Engineering Degree Apprentice, you will

As a Software Engineering Degree apprentice you will spend the duration of your 3.5 year programme rotating through different projects to learn about Software engineering, the engineering lifecycle and developing your practical engineering skills.  You will be working with our experienced software engineers within our Integrated Project Teams to design and test new and existing products, using your new skills to solve problems, generate new ideas and support the development of the next generation of EW products.

You will also attend university on a day release basis to complete your Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship (ST0119) which includes a BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineer) degree. Through your work placements you will record learning activities and evidence to show your competency in set criteria and in your final year you will complete a project which forms part of your degree.

During your apprenticeship, you will:

• Grow your knowledge of an engineering business and what the role of a Software Engineer is by being part of our Integrated Project Teams.
• Develop practical skills in engineering and understanding key processes and technologies.
• Support early careers activities - our apprentices have the opportunity to work as STEM ambassadors in schools, colleges and universities

Qualifications and entry Criteria

This Apprenticeship assumes the candidate has little professional engineering experience and is NOT suitable for candidates who already have an engineering, software or computing degree.

You must have as a minimum

104 UCAS Points to include at least 2 STEM subjects (3 C's at A' Level or T Level core pass C or equivalent qualification)

Plus 5 GCSE grades 9-4 / A* - C or equivalent, must include Maths. English and a Science

The starting salary for this role is £23,500

During your Apprenticeship we encourage you to spend at least 3/4 days a week on site to integrate with your team, connect socially and maximise your learning experience.

Security Clearance

At Leonardo, many of our roles are subject to security and export control restrictions set by UK Government Security requirements and customer obligations.  As a result, and in line with the UK Government Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements, all successful applicants will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record declaration information and employment and/or education history verification for the previous five years.

For staff operating in more sensitive posts, there is an additional range of personnel security controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV).  As part of this process, a range of factors may be considered, including an individual's background, travel history, nationality, previous nationalities held and other information relevant to the vetting assessment.

To be eligible for National Security Vetting at SC level, applicants will generally be expected to have continuously resided in the UK for the previous five years. For DV clearance, this is typically ten years.  In some circumstances, time spent overseas may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.  Additional vetting requirements may apply upon appointment.

For more information and guidance please visit:

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.

• Secure your future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.

• Your wellbeing matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity

• Rewarding performance: All employees are eligible for our bonus scheme.

• Join in our success: Our annual Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides you the opportunity to own shares in Leonardo.

• Tailored perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit:

We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people, communities and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something extraordinary - apply now!

Primary Location:

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Contract Type:

Fixed term

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid