Airbus and the Armed Forces
Our mission
You've built a career on purpose, service, and teamwork. Your mission isn't over—it's evolving. At Airbus, you can serve in a new way. We recognise the exceptional, transferable skills nurtured in military environments, and our commitment is proven. As the biggest supplier of large aircraft to the Royal Air Force, and Gold Award Holder of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, we are fully committed to supporting veterans, reservists, and military spouses as you help us pioneer for a safe and united world.
With 25 sites across the UK, we offer a secure future and clear opportunities for your continued civilian career. Whether you want to build on the skills you've gained or seek a complete change, you have a place in our team. We offer roles in Engineering, Logistics, Finance, Procurement, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and many other functions.
FIA Airshow 2024 Day 1 - A330 MRTT - Royal Air Force flypast
The A330 MRTT is the most capable new-generation tanker and transport aircraft, with more than 80 orders booked by Airbus from customers in 15 countries across Asia, North America, Oceania and Europe (including the UK’s Royal Air Force)
Supporting the Armed Forces community
We speak your language
Our commitments are defined by rigorous compliance with the ERS Gold framework of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Reserve Forces Act 1996, and the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985.
We recognise the technical and operational skills that military personnel bring to our workforce. To ensure you receive appropriate support without any disadvantage to your terms or conditions of employment, we maintain a secure voluntary registration process through our internal HR platform to track your status.
Scope of personnel support
Our dedicated support infrastructure applies to all employees—including individuals who have accepted job offers but have not yet started—who fall into these six specific categories outlined in our Armed Forces (Reservists, Veterans and Cadets) policy:
- Veterans and ex-service personnel: Anyone who has served for at least one day in the regular or reserve UK Armed Forces.
- Volunteer reservists: Civilians who voluntarily join the reserve forces and complete regular training while maintaining their civilian careers.
- Regular reservists: Ex-regular personnel who retain a statutory liability for service and are liable to be recalled for active military duty in an emergency.
- High Readiness Reserve Force: Reservists who accept an increased liability for short-notice call-outs.
- Sponsored reservists: Civilian employees working under Ministry of Defence (MoD) contracts who commit to deploying as specialists within operational environments.
- Cadet Force Adult Volunteers: Adult leaders who take on active leadership positions within MoD-sponsored cadet organisations.
Open positions
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How Airbus supports you
A commitment to wellbeing
We offer healthcare plans, flexible and hybrid working programmes, a success sharing scheme, share ownership programmes, and more. You can continue to serve with up to 15 days leave under our Reserve Forces policy.
Learning and development
Support your learning and growth with the Airbus Leadership University, more than 10,000 online training courses and with development programmes, blended learning solutions, MOOCs and more.
You can also continue to support the development of the Cadet Force, with adult volunteers being offered up to 10 days paid leave and five days unpaid leave each year.
Inclusion and diversity
Airbus believes inclusion and diversity is a driver of innovation and creativity. With 14 employee resource groups in the UK, we create community engagement both in and out of the workplace. The Armed Forces Employee Resource Group, led by ex-military personnel and reservists, enables and supports participation in various community activities, parades and charity events.
The Royal Air Force A330 MRTT ‘Voyager’ achieves clearance to refuel A400M aircraft
The Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) has granted the Voyager Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) clearance for the A400M using the centreline hose and drogue system, known as the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU).
Continuity of care and workplace adjustments
Our commitment extends beyond basic onboarding. We provide structured occupational health provisions to actively manage the physical and mental demands of past or present deployment:
- Mental Health Partnerships: Direct access to our Occupational Health Department for specialised counseling, wellbeing advice, and targeted support for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Physical Rehabilitation: Comprehensive workplace assessments and reasonable adjustments for combat-related physical or musculoskeletal injuries.
- Medical Appointment Leave: Guaranteed reasonable time off for medical appointments or to secure options for therapeutic treatments.
Testimonials from our team
Hear from our heroes
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After five years in the Royal Navy, I joined Airbus. I initially missed my shipmates, but enjoyed the transition to a steady desk and nightly returns home. 25 years on, I’m proud of our Armed Forces work. As a military spouse, I’ve faced unique challenges, like solo parenting, but fantastic managers have always supported me.
Lucinda WilliamsHO Social Value and Sustainability, ex-Royal Navy -
After 22 years as an Army aircraft engineer, I transitioned easily to Airbus. Here I found passionate people with diverse skills working towards a shared mission. Whatever your military background there will be a role suited to your skillset - and because Airbus values its people you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and develop.
Kevin HayesLead Human Factors Engineer, ex-Army -
Airbus is an extremely supportive employer for the Armed Forces community. Being an Army Cadet Force Adult Volunteer requires dedication and time, which Airbus recognises, allowing me to balance work and Cadet commitments. I believe training I have had with Cadets has given me extra skills and an approach that brings benefits to my work.
Tristan WilsonProgramme and Project Controller, Army Cadet Force
What training leave does Airbus give for reservists?
For UK Armed Forces reservists Airbus provides 10 days paid and 5 days unpaid leave each year, running from January to December.
How does Airbus handle salary protections during reservist deployment?
Upon return from a deployment any collectively bargained increases or performance-related increases are applied.
How does deployment impact my pension at Airbus?
Airbus allows employees to remain in the company pension scheme during deployment, and contributions can continue to be made by the Ministry of Defence. You can find out more about pensions at Airbus in the UK here.
Does Airbus support military specific health and wellbeing concerns?
Yes, Airbus recognises and provides support for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other combat-related physical and mental health issues.
I am a military spouse/partner, how can Airbus support me in my search for employment?
Airbus partners with Recruit for Spouses, which provides access to coaching, mentoring, CV writing, and interview preparation specialised to military spouses and partners. Find out more about Recruit for Spouses here.
How does Airbus help Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) in their duties?
Airbus provides the same leave entitlement to CFAVs as it does to reservists, which is 10 days paid leave and an additional 5 days unpaid leave. This time can be used to support annual camps and developing leadership skills.
What other support exists at Airbus for veterans, reservists, cadet volunteers and spouses?
Aside from the support offered by managers, team members, and occupational health services, the Armed Forces Employee Resource Group provides a great deal of informal support, advice and guidance to its members.
For support in resettlement, such as workshops, events and training, please find resources from the MOD's Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) service.
How do RAF trades match roles at Airbus?
We map your Royal Air Force technical training directly to active civilian roles across our Aircraft, Helicopters, Defence and Space divisions.
- Aircraft Technicians (Avionics/Mechanical) - You transition directly into avionic systems engineering, operational testing and fleet airworthiness acceptance teams.
- Cyberspace and Security Specialists - We deploy your experience within our network security, defensive cyber operations and secure tactical communications units.
- Air Battle Managers - Your operational command capability transfers directly to our defence strategic programme management frameworks.
How do British Army trades match roles at Airbus?
We map your British Army technical training and operational leadership experience to active civilian roles across our Aircraft, Helicopter, Defence and Space businesses.
- REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) Technicians - You transition into our manufacturing engineering, precision production operations management and technical quality assurance teams.
- Royal Signals Systems Engineers - We deploy your tactical network infrastructure capability into our secure communications operations and space systems engineering business units.
- Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) Officers - Your command experience and operational scale map to senior positions within our global supply chain logistics and programmatic sourcing networks.
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