Performance & Improvements Portsmouth Placement (13 months)

Job Description:

Start date: 20 July 2026

Location: Portsmouth

Duration: 13 months

Application: 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 http://airbus.com/en/careers/use-of-ai.

Apply early to avoid missing out — we may close adverts once we receive sufficient applications.

Benefits:

Salary: £23,850

37 hours per week // Flexible working hours // Hybrid working // Half day Fridays!* // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

*subject to completing full hours prior to this

About us:

The Performance & Improvements 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 Performance & Improvements 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.

What you will be doing:

During this placement, the activities you may undertake will include:

• Support with HO Performance & Improvements 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;
• Implement and mature the Operational Excellence System (OES) within MAIT working closely with the central P&I 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 to Undergraduates 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.

*Your application should include a CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role.*

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Studying towards a degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing 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 leading improvement projects;
• Some knowledge of coding and scripting;
• Confident communicator;
• Creative and inventive, that are able to think outside the box and has an entrepreneur mind set;
• Open minded, and proactive.

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.

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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.

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