Starting a career in aerospace can feel like a leap into the unknown. At Leonardo, our early careers roles are designed to make that leap exciting, rewarding and full of opportunity. We spoke to some of our current apprentices and graduates across the business to hear how they are building skills, taking on responsibility and are shaping their futures.
When Ben, a third‑year Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Degree Apprentice at our helicopter business in Yeovil, began weighing up his options after A‑levels, the traditional university path didn’t feel right. A talk from a former student about apprenticeships changed everything. “Getting real industry experience without mountains of debt, while earning a wage, felt like an obvious choice,” he recalls. 
Ben first discovered Leonardo’s early careers schemes while researching aerospace companies during sixth form, narrowing his focus to helicopters because of his interest in mechanical engineering.
His placements have taken him across design, testing and analysis. Right now, he is working in the structural analysis team, editing Finite Element Models and presenting simulation results to senior engineers.
Outside of work, Ben chairs the trainee‑run charity committee in Yeovil, which last year raised a record £42,000 for local causes this year. He also enjoys hiking and fitness, having taken part in challenges such as a two‑day trek across Dartmoor and the Three Peaks challenge alongside colleagues from Yeovil, as part of this year’s fundraising.
Maddie, a Level 3 Project Controls Apprentice in Integrated Missions Systems, who is based in Luton, arrived at Leonardo by a different route. After trying A‑Levels and drama school, she found her role via the government apprenticeship scheme and after conversations with family members who already worked at the company, applied “on a whim”! She hasn’t looked back. “Becoming an apprentice is one of the best decisions I’ve made,” she says.
Her days vary between project work and college study, with weekly reports balanced against lectures and assessments. “No day is ever really the same,” explains Maddie. Her proudest achievement so far has been organising monthly awareness sessions with senior staff to help her cohort understand how different functions contribute to the business. “It helped me progress, but it also helped others,” she says.
Outside of work, Maddie keeps a healthy balance in her life, taking part in kickboxing and local theatre productions.
For Lia, now a Systems Engineer within Cyber and based in Bristol, Leonardo stood out for its commitment to defence and its drive to increase the number of women in STEM. With a bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering and a master's in Computer Science, she quickly found herself designing high‑level system solutions and working with vendors to align products with customer needs.
Within six months, Lia had already designed and commissioned a customer demo space in Bristol, complete with a multi‑input configuration and video wall. “It gave me the chance to apply my knowledge in a real‑world scenario and then teach others how to use it,” she says.
Lia first discovered Leonardo’s graduate schemes through Gradcracker and has found her academic background invaluable in applying her learnings to her current role.
Candia, a Project Officer at Leonardo’s Lincoln site, came from a legal background. Her degree may not have been engineering, but the skills from her education have proved invaluable. “Writing concise reports, presenting information clearly and engaging confidently with stakeholders are all essential in both fields,” she explains.
Candia first heard about Leonardo’s graduate schemes through Bright Network’s job board. Her day‑to‑day work involves project management tasks, supported by the communication and analytical skills honed during her law studies. She has already made her mark as the youngest STEM Lead at the site, designing outreach programmes that have inspired students to pursue apprenticeships and graduate roles. “Knowing that the work I do directly contributes to the next generation of engineers is both motivating and humbling,” she says.
Outside of work, Candia is learning British Sign Language, attending weekly classes to build her skills and support accessibility initiatives.
Ambition is something that drives Ben, Maddie, Lia and Candia and each of o has a clear vision for the future.
Ben hopes to achieve a first‑class degree before moving into specialised engineering and eventually management. Maddie wants to continue advocating for STEM and progress to senior levels within the company. Lia is aiming to become a Solution Architect, taking on larger areas of systems until she can own an entire solution. Candia is also focused on expanding her impact through STEM outreach and project leadership.
Despite the challenges of balancing study and work, Ben and Maddie are unequivocal in their recommendation of apprenticeships. “You gain so many skills that are simply unobtainable sitting in lectures without working in an industry,” says Ben. “The job security is unmatched and the prospects motivate me to work my hardest.”
The Graduates echo the sentiment about joining Leonardo in an early careers role. Lia advises applicants not to worry about not knowing everything: “It’s a good way to build experience, learn quickly and get a solid start in your career,” she says. Candia highlights the trust and responsibility given early on, coupled with a strong support network.
Whether through apprenticeships or graduate schemes, Leonardo’s early careers programmes are shaping the next generation of engineers, project leaders and innovators. With apprentices and graduates alike already making their mark, the future looks bright and you can be a part of it with salaries starting at £34,000 for Graduates, £17850 for Level 3 Apprentices and £21,525 for Degree Apprentices.
Explore our early careers opportunities at Leonardo now available for 2026.