Skip to content

Programs & Business

Plant Support Engineer Portsmouth Placement (13 months)

Airbus Defence and Space logoAirbus Defence and SpacePortsmouthFull timePosted 1w agoApply by 20 Nov 2026

About the job

## Job Description Start date:19 July 2027 ## Location:Portsmouth Duration:13 months ## Applications close on 20 November 2026 ! We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time .

We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

AI Guidance:We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus https://www.airbus.com/en/careers/faqs#using-ai-in-your-application . ## Benefits Salary:£24,500 37 hours per week // Flexible working hours // Hybrid working options available depending on the role // Half day Fridays!* // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays *subject to completing full hours prior to this ## About us The Industrial Management Team is at the heart of our mission to deliver spacecraft faster, more affordably, and to the highest quality.

We are responsible for driving a wide range of improvement activities, from minor process enhancements to major research and development projects. This role is based in Portsmouth, where our team plays a crucial part in enhancing the Operational Excellence Maturity of the Portsmouth site.

We achieve this through the implementation of our Operational Excellence System (OES), Lean methodologies, and by fostering a culture of continuous improvement. We also define and manage the Portsmouth Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration, and Test (MAIT) Improvement Plan, ensuring we meet our savings commitments and business expectations by successfully delivering key projects.

You'll be working closely with colleagues across our sites in Portsmouth, Stevenage, Friedrichshafen, Ottobrunn, and Toulouse, as well as with the wider Industrial community. You will build valuable relationships with your counterparts in other MAIT sites to share expertise and best practices.

In addition, you will collaborate with our colleagues in Airbus Commercial and Airbus Defence and Space Transformation Teams. ## During this placement, the activities you may undertake will include - Support with HO Industrial Management and Key product Owners to define and deliver a credible 12 month improvement plan for the site; - Responsible for continually reviewing and reducing the “MAIT Cost Base” and “Ready for Bid Price” through improvement opportunities generated by MAIT and other business units.

This is for all MAIT customers; Mechanical Platform (T-BD), Antennas, Mechanisms & ENS; - Support in the development of production dashboards and KPI visualisation to support industrial efficiency; - Support in multi-project oversight to aid in coordinating efficient use of facility footprint and resources; - Implement and mature the Operational Excellence System (OES) within MAIT working closely with the central Industrial team; - Deliver Lean Improvement Projects on Quality, on Time and on Cost.

(5S, Visual management, VSM, Flow Analysis, KPIs); - Drive specific problem solving/improvement activities; - Lead and support the streamlining of processes; - Report the status of the Improvements Projects and controlling of cost and schedule; - Responsible for standardisation of Lean MAIT Processes, documentation and working methods across Stevenage and/or Portsmouth; - Responsible for the promotion of Lean education and awareness in Portsmouth ensuring a standardised approach with other sites where possible. ## Requirements Our placements are open toUndergraduates only .Therefore it is mandatory for candidates to be an undergraduate for the whole duration of the placement.

Please inform your graduation date on your application. ## Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following - Studying towards a degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical/Radio Frequency, Project management or Health & Safety; - Understanding in Practical Problem Solving (PPS), running Kaizen workshops, implementing visual management in production and office environment; - Experience in improvement projects; - Some knowledge of coding and scripting; - Good communication skills; - Creative and inventive, that are able to think outside the box and has an entrepreneur mind set; - Open minded, and proactive. ## This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint-Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.

SECURITY CLEARANCE:You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role. ## Contact Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process.

If you wish to discuss this further please contact us. ​ Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence. #UK_PLA This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth. ## Company AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited ## Employment Type Internship ------- ## Experience Level Student ## Job Family Manufacturing Engineering <JF-MA-ME> By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment.

This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all.

As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com . At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.

From Airbus Defence and Space's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

Sponsored

Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.

Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.

New program management and business jobs in space, by email

One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Satellites, exploration hardware and laser terminals, built inside the Airbus group.

Pay on its listings: 0% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee of Airbus, under the employment terms each posting states.

More program management and business jobs in space

Experienced in space programs or business?

One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.

Create my profile

Airbus Defence and Space openings, sent to you weekly

Each week we send the newest postings from Airbus Defence and Space's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.